DEQ MissionBy 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 assistancePublic recognitionWeb-based information resourcesTraining & workshopsPerformance 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 levelThree year acceptance periodMust report annually on progressMust be in complianceEnvironmental 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 StatementEvaluation of Environmental ImpactsObjectives & TargetsRegulatory Requirements Identification/TrackingRoles/ResponsibilitiesTraining and CommunicationEnvironmental Control and MonitoringCompliance Change ManagementCorrective and Preventative ActionsRecords and RecordkeepingAudits and InspectionsManagement Review

Requirements of VEEP MembersCompliance with environmental regulationsPerformance-based EMSsPollution prevention Measurement of environmental performanceWillingness to have a collaborative relationship with DEQ, other facilities and their communities

VEEP Levels of ParticipationLevels E2, E3 & E4 Compliance requirement for all levels:No criminal violations within previous 5 yearsNo more than two significant violations within previous 3 yearsNo unresolved notices of violations or potential violationsWilling to work cooperatively with DEQ to resolve problemsOperate in a manner consistent with environmental stewardship and leadershipAnnual 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 statementIdentification of environmental impactsEstablishment of targetsPollution prevention programReporting on at least one environmental metric

E3 (Exemplary Environmental Enterprise)Fully implemented EMSDocumented resultsEMS self-assessmentProcedures for communicating environmental information to the publicReporting on at least two environmental metrics

E4 (Extraordinary Environmental Enterprise)One full EMS cycle completedThird-party EMS audit completedContinuous and sustainable progressCommunity involvementReporting on at least three environmental metrics

VEEP ParticipationMore than 550 facilities currently in program.

Why would a facility want to participate in VEEP?All members receive:Positive public recognition Single point-of-contactReduced annual permit feesSolid 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 flexibilityPermit and permit amendment review timeframeReduced or streamlined monitoring requirements

VEEP Recognition

What is the Commonwealths interest?Engaging facilities with a new relationshipMovement toward environmental sustainability:Reduced total water use by more than 38.5 million gallonsRecycled over 2.7 million tons of non-hazardous wasteIncreased 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

ComplianceWater & NaturalResources ProtectionClimate Protection &Energy EfficiencyInternal P2/Sustainability Efforts Education & OutreachEnvironmental 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 AchievementsJoined VEEP (E3) 8/10/07Moved to E4 2/18/11Fully implemented and third party certified EMSYears of excellent complianceExcellent working relationship with DEQPollution Prevention efforts:Recycling and material reuse on siteLandfill gas to energy projectWetlands preservation Researching feasibility of installing windmills

PWC Landfill Achievements continuedVarious outreach and mentoring efforts to improve environmental awarenessNumerous awards for environmental achievementConsistent reporting:In 2009 11,276 tons of material reuse on siteSince 2007 Particulate Matter air emissions reduced by over 28 tons.

Keith Boisvert Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Keith.Boisvert@deq.virginia.gov804-698-4225

*The Department of Environmental Quality protects and enhances Virginias environment, and promotes the health and well being of the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Included here to put VEEP in context

VEEP is multimedia and connected to all aspects of the agency

*Varied approaches to promote sustainability and improved environmental results

Staff of 3; total budget of ~$325,000 with about 2/3 of that devoted to VEEP

- Non-regulatory programs: often tied to recognition- Technical assistance: on-site, answer email and phone inquiries, develop resources- Public recognition: awards, recognition ceremonies, profile successes in outreach materials/on website- Web-based information resources- Training & workshops (including newest form webinars)

Also mention VH2E, SC3

Note size of OPP staff**The first tier in VEEP, Environmental Enterprise, is for anyone, but especially for small businesses, nonprofit agencies, schools, municipal agencies, and others that want recognition for their voluntary efforts and are willing to do more to reduce their environmental footprint and gain the economic benefits of an environmental management system (EMS). *The Exemplary Environmental Enterprise level is a way for DEQ to recognize and drive environmental excellence by encouraging facilities that have comprehensive, forward-looking management to go above and beyond in their stewardship of the environment through a fully-implemented EMS. *The Extraordinary Environmental Enterprise level is for those organizations that already display a commitment to the highest environmental performance. E4 members must demonstrate a mature EMS, aggressive environmental performance goals, a process for engaging the local community, and continued progress toward performance goals. *E2 report on at least oneE3 report on at least twoE4 report on at least three*Note facility

~60% E2~a third E3~ 5% E4*Breakdown of how facilities fall out in terms of the three levels of the program

It is not surprising that the majority are E2 and a smaller number E3 and even a smaller number E4 given the requirements to achieve the higher levels of the program.**In addition to the benefits that come with an EMS in and of itself

Annual Permit Fee Reductions for certain Solid Waste, Hazardous Waste, and Water permits (reduction varies from 2% to 20% depending upon media and level of participation in VEEP)

2009: 100 permits discounted for total discounts of about $66,000

*VEEP 2008 Annual Report Summary Data

Better relationships with facilities perhaps

*Focus on performance rather than on EMS; reflects recognition that ISO14001 is no longer the driver for many organizations sustainability isMake a voluntary commitment to contribute toward Commonwealths environmental performance Specific criteria to be developed via stakeholder process; ideas suggested:Multi-level program with a checklist of criteria and corresponding scores (similar to VML challenge)Performer designations determined by the scoreChecklist could include ~5 reporting commitments, each with a point value (Environmental Sustainability Reporting)Require/encourage joint projects and engagement of other stakeholders such as neighboring communities, the public, etc.

Possible distinctions from current track:Annual schedule for applications rather than current system of rolling admissionNo compliance requirementsNo EMS requirementRecognition but no other regulatory incentivesIntegrated into GEEANo renewal requirement; however, a new application is required if organization wanted to move to another level

Green Partner:Modeled on MDEs new Maryland Green Registry program (which is based partially on defunct Businesses for the Bay) and Virginia GreenMeets the need for a general green business program that is voiced frequently (E1)Visualized as an on-ramp for either the existing VEEP track or the Virginia Sustainability Partners trackNo compliance requirementRequirements:Located in VirginiaShare information on at least five environmental practices in placeProvide a measurable result for at least one of those activitiesRenewal required?Web-based sign-up and reporting systemRecognition is only incentive