deq mission
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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. Non-regulatory programs Technical assistance Public recognition - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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 becomepart 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.
8%7%
48%
25%
12%
Manufactuer
Federal Govt
Local Govt
State Govt
Other
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 & NaturalResources Protection
Climate Protection &
Energy Efficiency
InternalP2/Sustainability
Efforts
Education & Outreach
EnvironmentalManagement 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 2009 11,276 tons of material reuse on site Since 2007 Particulate Matter air emissions
reduced by over 28 tons.
