1. Starting a Waste Reduction Technical Assistance Center John Calcagni Waste Reduction Resource Center Cleaner Production Seminar Huangshan, Anhui Province People’s Republic of China November 11, 1998

2. Raw Material Solid Waste Waste Energy Products Energy Liquid Waste Gaseous Waste

3. Role of Pollution Prevention n Encourage waste reduction by improving source operations. n Waste reduction at the source is the preferred method because: –Reduces use of raw materials and energy –Reduces need for waste treatment –Saves money n Best way to meet dual goals of economic growth and environmental protection

4. Technical Assistance is Essential n Purpose of a Technical Assistance Center is to support the pollution prevention person in the field –Cleaner technology results from the pollution prevention expert convincing the plant expert to change the process –Our job is to make sure the pollution prevention person has what he or she needs to explain the pollution prevention options to the plant expert.

5. Technical Assistance Program Services n Toll-free telephone number n Library n Web site on Internet n Training n Audit assistance n List server n Newsletter n Conferences

6. Toll-free Telephone Number –Users need to be able to reach Center in a convenient manner –Many of the requests for information are transmitted over the telephone –User will call more frequently if calling is free and convenient –Often easier, faster and more complete than mail or even Email

7. Library n Collection of references is most important tool to identify pollution prevention technology n Important material to collect: –Up-to-date technical journal articles –Core References – Fact Sheets –Case Studies –Vendor Library

8. Library (Continued) n Journal articles and core references identify best technology and latest developments n Fact sheets are essential to simply explain and summarize commonly used technologies n Case studies and vendor lists help a firm answer questions specific to the industry

9. Internet Web Site n Increasingly becoming most convenient communication technique n Items on-line: – Library Bibliography –References in full text –Vendor Library –Products Exchange Directory –List of Links to other sites

10. Training n Types of Training –Basic Introductory (i.e. Pollution Prevention on the Internet) n Because of continual staff turnover, many offices need frequent “basic” training n Often includes on-site assessments –Technical (i.e. Solvent Alternatives, Pollution Prevention in Electroplating) n Training courses helpful to develop new skills or to keep staff up to date –Regulatory (i.e. Pollution Prevention for Permit Writers)

11. Audit Assistance n The ability to conduct audits is an central to a center’s mission. Most technical assistance centers conduct some audits. n Role of Center –Train personnel to conduct audits. –Participate in audits as trainers for new auditors. –Conduct federally requested audits and audits on federal facilities. n Issues with audits include: –Confidentiality of findings –Providing specific usable information –Requests for regulatory interpretations

12. List Server n List server is an effective method for sharing information. n Subscribers can post a question. n List server simultaneously transmits it via Email to all subscribers. n When someone responds to the inquiry, the answer is Emailed for all to see. n An archive keeps a record of all requests and responses for easy future reference.

13. Newsletter n A number of technical assistance centers publish newsletters. n Excellent way to communicate with users. n For those who depend on commercial clients, it is an excellent way to market the services provided by a center. n Timeliness is an issue since there often is a time lag in publication.

14. Conferences n Several technical assistance centers sponsor annual conferences. n Provides an opportunity to present latest developments to a large group. n Provides for networking of people in the pollution prevention community. n Can be an important source of funding through sales of proceedings and exhibitor display space.

15. Staffing A Center n Technical background is essential. –Must be familiar with industrial operations. –Process experts are not essential. –Good communication skills are important. –Must be willing to ask “WHY?” n Retirees excellent because they are: –Knowledgeable about industry processes. –Not intimidated by complex operations. – Know how to work with plant personnel. –Relatively inexpensive.

16. Staffing a Center (Continued) n Some centers use college student interns. –Up to date on latest technology. –Bring a fresh perspective. –Less threatening to company. –Less credible as a resource due to lack of experience. –Relatively inexpensive.

17. Funding a Technical Assistance Center n Types of governmental funding. –Fees from permits or disposal charges. –Legislative appropriations. –Grants. n Types of private funding. –Fees for services and assessments. –Contracts with large companies. –Conference and publication profits.

18. Technology n Compatibility with users more important than latest technology. –If users cannot easily access data, they will not use it. –Avoid expensive customized database software which users cannot easily learn or access. –Put on-line files in widely available formats such as html or adobe acrobat. –Consider posting multiple versions (e.g. 5.1,6.0 etc.) if using Word or WordPerfect.

19. Technology (Continued) n Maintenance of equipment and Web site needs to be considered in plans. –Web site has to be up-to-date. –Broken links need to be serviced quickly. –After a couple of bad experiences, people will not return. n Similarly, presentations in the field need to plan for equipment failure.

20. Quality Assurance n Continually monitor users to determine quality of product. –Use a postcard questionnaire to follow-up site assessments to determine usefulness of results. –Follow-up calls to 800 numbers to see if information was useful and helpful. –Distribute evaluation form at training classes. –Track the number of requests for technical assistance over time to determine most popular services.

21. Summary n Starting a technical assistance center requires providing a number of support services. n The key to being successful is identifying the technical support needs of your users and providing them in an easily accessible manner. n Many different services can be provided depending on the needs of your users. n Do not get ahead of your users in technology n Follow-up with users for constructive feedback.

22. Atmospheric Science Research 2000 - 2010 Health Effects and Atmospheric Sciences Division John Calcagni

23. Attributes of a Strong Science Program n Positive Work Environment for Staff n Access to Appropriate Resources to Accomplish Mission n Focus on Problems Where Research Can Add Greatest Value n Identifies and Addresses Client Needs

24. Attributes of a Strong Science Program (cont.) n Extensive Peer Review n Integrates Latest Scientific Information n Uses Extramural Resources to Advance Agency Mission

25. Determining “Greatest Added Value” n Large Societal/Regulatory Costs n Policy Decisions Can Be Significantly Improved with Better Information n Information Can be Developed in a Timely Manner n Policy Makers Have an Interest in Addressing Issue

26. Air Media Priorities n Particulate Matter n Ozone n Urban Toxics n All Other

27. PM 2.5 Background n Epidemiology studies have identified a relationship between PM 2.5 and increases in mortality and morbidity n NAAQS Promulgated n Client seeking direction on best regulatory approach n Major Regulatory Activity prior to 2007

28. PM 2.5 Background (cont.) n Default Client Strategy: –All PM 2.5, weighted by mass, are equal –Rely on collateral benefits from rules on motor vehicle fuels, diesel engines, acid rain and utility NOx –Tighten acid rain rules to further reduce sulfates –Identify State/Regional controls to attain NAAQS

29. PM 2.5 Source Issues n What are the constituents of PM 2.5 n What are sources of PM 2.5 emissions and PM 2.5 precursors n What is a credible “no additional control” baseline for 2007 n What is the impact of this baseline on ambient concentrations

30. PM 2.5 Source Issues (cont.) n How does these answers change if a principle stressor is found to be: –Transition Metals (Fe, Ni, V, Cu, Zn) –Sulfates/Nitrates –Ultrafine PM –PM 1.0 –Other

31. PM 2.5 Monitoring Issues n What are the best methods for monitoring constituents of PM 2.5 –Can these be reference methods? n How does the concentration and composition of PM 2.5 vary –Daily, weekly, seasonally, geographically n Over what scale is monitoring data representative

32. PM 2.5 Monitoring Issues (cont.) n How does these answers change if a principle stressor is found to be: –Transition Metals (Fe, Ni, V, Cu, Zn) –Sulfates/Nitrates –Ultrafine PM –PM 1.0 –Other

33. PM 2.5 Formation/Transport Issues n Can existing formation/transport/fate mechanisms be applied to model PM 2.5 constituents n What scale needs to be modeled and at what resolution n Are there additional contributors which need to be assessed –Ammonia, biogenics

34. PM 2.5 Exposure Issues n What are principle avenues of PM 2.5 exposure –indoor/outdoor, exercise level n Are any sensitive receptors disproportionately exposed to PM 2.5 –Children, breathing impaired, elderly n How does this change with different potential stressor constituents

35. External PM Interest Groups n Utility Industry n Petroleum Industry n Motor Vehicle Industry n Iron and Steel Industry n Industrial Boiler Operators n Diesel Engine Manufacturers n Environmental Groups

36. Ozone Background n Recently shifted regulatory approach from local VOC to regional NOx n Auto controls focus on LEV and low sulfur fuels n Diesel NOx a concern –on-road and off-road n Urban Attainment still in question n Scope of NOx Disbenefits still an issue

37. Ozone Source Issues n Performance of LEV/ZEV vehicles in Eastern US n Impacts of Cleaner Fuels on Motor Vehicles and Diesels n Options for off-road vehicles

38. Ozone Monitoring Issues n Monitoring and Interpreting precursors such as NOy and PAMS data n Evaluating NOx disbenefits in large urban environments

39. Ozone Chemistry Issues n Role of biogenics in urban chemistry n Criteria for selecting between VOC and NOx Controls in large urban areas

40. Urban Toxics n Size of Health Risk Uncertain n Motor Vehicles play a major role –1,3 butadiene, formaldehyde, benzene n Indoor Air