EPA-New England's
Assistance & Pollution Prevention Office
1999 Annual Report
Assistance
Innovation
Assistance
"Pushes"
• Towards
Better
Performance,
Through
Strategies
That Identify
And
Overcome
Barriers
Environmental
Management
Systems
Sector Based
Assistance
X Innovative
Managers
Small
Business
Assistance, ---
Development
Solid Waste /
Reduction''
National^
Innovation
Programs
Innovation
•Pulls".
Towards
Better
Performance
By
Developing
New
/Approaches
That Set A
XL Project »***«*
Pollution Prevention
-------
I J"> \ UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
I ^v|/^ -" REGION I. NEW ENGLAND
\ *at/ ONE CONGRESS STREET. SUITE 1100
BOSTON, MA 02114-2023
January 2000
Dear Reader:
We hope you enjoy this 1999 Annual Report on the work of EPA-New England's
Assistance and Pollution Prevention (A&P2) Office. The A&P2 Office was established over
five years ago to provide assistance for New England businesses, municipalities, and
others who face the challenges of complying with federal and state environmental
requirements. In addition, the A&P2 Office provides assistance and leadership on
important environmental problems and opportunities, and also works to develop and
implement innovative alternatives to current regulatory procedures.
This report only_summarizes our work to assist small businesses, sectors and our other
efforts such as encouraging environmental management systems, innovative technology,
and alternative regulatory programs./ If you would like additional information on any of
these topics, a listof program contacts is provided at the end of the report For general
questions, please call us at 617-918-1790, or contact our customer call center at 1-888-
372-7341 The Regional web page can be found at www.epa.gov/region01. We welcome
your thoughts.
We also wish to acknowledge that our accomplishments require a high degree of
involvement and support from many partners, both within and outside of EPA. In
particular, we work in partnership with the New England state regulatory and assistance
programs, with environmental advocacy groups, with businesses and trade associations,
local governments, and many others. Our work is also supported by many within EPA
including the regional compliance and enforcement staff and our customer service office.
We could accomplish little without their help.
Finally, we want to recognize the staff of the Assistance & Pollution Prevention Office who
did so much hard work to make these accomplishments possible. They are a dedicated
and motivated team of professionals that we are proud to work with.
Sincerely,
ThomaSj^Avanzo & Gregory Roscoe
Co-Managers
Assistance and Pollution Prevention Office
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODU cTION 1
ASSISTANCE 2
Sector Based Assistance 2
Metal Finishing 3
Auto R pazr and Refinishing 4
J T otech Schools and Two-Year Technical Colleges 5
College/University Initiative 6
Munici a1ities - DPWHighway Facilities 7
Wood Finishing 7
Other NEEATeam Assistance 8
Mercury Challenge- Partners for Change 8
Assistance Response 9
Right-to-Know 9
Small Business Assistance 10
Solid Waste Reduction 11
Global Climate Change 13
INNOVATION 16
Environmental Management Systems 16
Innovative Technology 19
XL Project Development 21
National Innovation Programs 23
Contact Information 24
—1—
-------
INTRODUCTION
Who We Are and What We Do
In [ 994, the EPA-New England’s Office of Environmental Stewardship (OES) was created
during the regional reorganization. OES is comprised of a multimedia Enforcement Office
and the Assistance & Pollution Prevention Office (A&P2). OES spent its first several years
working out the “carrot and stick” relationship between assistance and enforcement. In
subsequent years, OES has developed integrated strategies to achieve improved environmental
performance.
When it was formed as part of OES, the A&P2 office was given the ambitious mission to be a
“laboratory for bold experimentation” for environmental programs and policy tools. The
A&P2 office is home to the various programs which are described in this report. Our goal
has been to improve the regulated community’s environmental performance both by
providing targeted assistance, and by developing and testing innovative programs. The
following basic principles have guided our work:
I] Adopting a “ problem solving” approach .
Having a clear sense of what environmental or compliance problems we’re trying to
solve with our work has been a crucial element of our planning.
o Developing integrated strategies to solve those problems
Integrated strategies allow us to make strategic use of an assortment of environmental
programs or approaches in order to address and improve specific environmental
problems. We have also worked with a wide range of outside stakeholders to leverage
their resources and interests to accomplish mutual goals.
O Evaluating our progress and developing new measures of success
Measuring the success of innovative efforts can be difficult so we are testing a range of
new tools, including surveys and environmental performance reports.
O Fostering a culture of innovation
We promote an organizational culture that rewards risk taking and supports
opportunities to: use resources more effectively; reduce red tape; and, ultimately,
provide measurable results that demonstrate environmental improvements.
—1—
-------
Our Work In 1999
The “bicycle wheel” on the cover page gives an overview of our major assistance and
innovation teams. Together, A&P2 staff on these teams completed over 7,000 activities in
1999 that reached over 390,000 entities (both individuals and organizations). These
activities varied widely from mass mailings to workshops to on-site assistance.
In many cases, the goal of this work was to assist municipalities, industry (especially small
businesses), and others in understanding and complying with the complex environmental
requirements that apply to them. In other cases, we provided assistance to improve
performance in areas that EPA does not regulate (such as energy use, health and safety, and
solid waste). We also did extensive work in cutting edge areas such as Innovative Technology
and Environmental Management Systems. All of these are described in the following pages,
and we welcome your thoughts and comments about our work.
ASSISTANCE
The historical role of the agency, which can be gleaned even from its current name
(Environmental Protection Agency), was one of protecting human health and safeguarding the
natural environment. Some of our most effective tools have been enforcing the evolving
inventory of environmental statutes and regulation. However, as environmental problems
have become more diffuse and complex, new tools are needed to address them. The new EPA
embraces as part of its agenda the role of servicing customers by helping them fulfill their
regulatory obligations and embracing sound, sustainable environmental practices. Whether
it’s assisting metal finishers with solvent requirements or helping communities make better
use of environmental data and information to make decisions, providing assistance has
emerged as a fundamental tool for our evolving role in environmental protection.
Sector Based AssIstance
The New England Environmental Assistance Team’s (NEEATeam) mission
is to help New England businesses and other regulated entities comply with
environmental laws, benefit from pollution prevention, and improve their
environmental performance in money saving ways.
The team specializes in assisting sectors that have been targeted as regional
or national priorities. In 1999, these sectors included metal finishing, auto
repair and refinishing, votech schools and two-year technical colleges, colleges and
universities, municipalities, and wood finishing. To improve performance in these sectors,
the team developed and provided a range of tools such as:
S cto,Based
/ AsssIarcø
---- -4
-2-
-------
• workshops on compliance with regulations, pollution prevention and emerging
technologies;
• written resources, such as manuals, checklists, and fact sheets;
• specialized services tailored to sector needs, such as videos, technology demonstrations,
on-site assessments, and issue roundtables; and
• telephone assistance: 1-888-EPA-7341.
The NEEATeam’s 1999 work in specific sectors is described below.
Metal Finishing
There are 1,200 metal finishers in New
England and many of them are very small
businesses which use a variety of hazardous
chemicals. Although the sector has a
history of environmental problems, national
and regional trade associations have worked
hard to address those problems.
A primary example is the Strategic Goals
Program, which grew out of the EPA’s
Common Sense Initiative, a new approach
for EPA m creating policies and
environmental management solutions that
relate to industry sectors. The’Strategic
Goals Program is a cooperative effort
between EPA, the states, publicly owned
treatment works, environmental groups, the
American Electroplaters and Surface
Finishers Society (AESF), the National
Association of Metal Finishers (NAMF),
and the Metal Finishing Suppliers
Association (MFSA). Its purpose is to test
new ideas that are both bold and “common
sense” for improved environmental
protection. The program was created by key
industry leaders and other important
stakeholder groups to achieve “cleaner,
cheaper and smarter” environmental
performance. Some of the goals include: a
50% reduction in the amount of hazardous
waste shipped off-site; a 25% reduction in
energy use; and a 50% reduction in water
use.
Overview of Metal Finishing
Assistance Work in 1999
Number of Workshops for 15
metal finishers
On site assIstance 16
Speaking Engagements 5
Articles Published 6
Stakcholdcr Meetings 6
Fact sheets I.
Companies signed up for 44
Strategic Goals Program
Other tools developed included a slide
show and video, a detailed pamphlet on
environmentally safe ways to close
facilities that arc going out of business,
and development of a policy on
evaporators as a treatment technology.
Results of the Strategic Goals Program
can bc found at: www.strategicgoals.org -
-3-
-------
Our 1999 work focused on advancing the Strategic Goals Program as a
means of increasing compliance among metal finishers. Successful programs
in Rhode Island and Massachusetts are resulting in more companies signing
on. We worked closely with groups in both Massachusetts and Rhode
Island to determine how we can encourage metal finishers to meet their
goals. Workshops on specific compliance issues such as water conservation,
RCRA and the halogenated solvent air regulations were very well received.
Workshops on Environmental Management Systems and technical issues, such as dragout and
rinse water reduction, were also well received.
Auto Repair and Refinishing
Ncw England has thousands of auto repair and
refinishing facilities that face significant
challenges managing fluids and hazardous Overview of Auto Sector Assistance
materials in an environmentally responsible Work in 1999
way. Such facilities typically deal with a variety
of hazardous and nonhazardous materials of Workshops 32
concern, including virgin and spent cleaning
solvents, lubricating oils, paints, thinners, On-Site Assistance Visits 88
antifreeze, refrigerants/CFCs, batteries
containing battery acid, and a host of other Technical Bulletin Mass 3
materials. Mailings (15,000 facilities for
cach mailing)
In 1999 the NEEATeam focused on the
following assistance priorities for this sector:
new low VOC paint use requirements; the importance of proper floor drain connections;
CFC/refrigerant requirements; new underground storage tank (UST) regulations; and source
reduction, reuse, recycling and disposal methods. We have found technicians in the shops to
be highly competent in their field of expertise, but they are lacking the basic understanding of
environmental requirements, hazards associated with materials they use, and possible impacts
of mismanagement of wastes generated in their shops.
One strategy for this sector, conducting on-site visits, continues to be a valuable tool to
encourage behavior changes in facilities, particularly when a number of the visits are
concentrated in a specific geographic area (such as a watershed, municipality, etc.). Many
facilities visited have said that their interactions during on-site visits were very positive. In
addition, these visits keep EPA in touch with shops so that we can discuss compliance
barriers, obtain feedback on assistance tools and services, and test assistance tools such as
checklists. Some of the behavior changes which have been documented include: recycling of
antifreeze, oil filters, and used oil; changing from solvent to aqueous parts cleaners; switching
to low-VOC paints; checking and correcting floor drain connections;
-4-
-------
implementing an employee training program; and labeling drums of
hazardous waste. Mass mailings and workshops that reach a much broader
universe of facilities re also an integral part of our strategy. To better assess
the effectiveness of this work, EPA is in the process of evaluating data from
a survey ad.ministere4 in August 1999.
Votech Schools and Two-Year Technical Colleges
Schools are not typically considered environmental
polluters, yet this sector was targeted because of Overview of Votech Schools Sect
increasing evidence of significant concerns about the Assistance Work in 1999
way in which hazardous materials are handled, used
and disposed of, and because of the sector’s limited Site Visits/Assessments 18
understanding of its responsibilities.
iVorkshops/prescntations/ 36
In 1999, our schools sector staff expanded and built
on their 1998 assistance efforts in Massachusetts and
introduced a basic awareness program throughout ______________________________
the State of Maine. Limited, request specific
assistance was offered in Rhode Island, Vermont and Connecticut. The primary compliance
problems we encountered were lack of familiarity with the regulations that apply to schools
and RCRA storage, handling, and disposal issues. Our secondary focus was on floor drain
problems, tank information/regulations, and indoor air quality concerns. Schools also have
pollution prevention opportunities such as inventory control, product selection criteria,
appropriate purchasing procedures, proper management of donations of hazardous and
nonhazardous materials, and water and energy usage.
Another project in 1999 was the Green Campus Program, which was piloted at two technical
colleges in New England. Its purpose is to position faculty, administration and students to
systematically assess the environmental conditions on their campus and work together to
address compliance issues and implement pollution prevention strategies. In 1999, EPA-
New England also promoted the use of supplemental environmental projects (SEPs) to
support assistance efforts at schools. A SEP is an environmentally beneficial project which a
violator voluntarily agrees to perform as part of a settlement of an enforcement action. Other
significant efforts in this sector included oversight of a grant to support school hazardous and
nonhazardous waste clean out efforts, and monthly facilitation of the Massachusetts multi-
agency task force on environment, health and safety in schools (MATS).
-5-
-------
To date, we have received dozens of requests for facility specific assistance
from workshop attendees and by those who previously received assistance
who then requested follow up help with more advanced issues. Even more /
significant is the number of facilities or individuals requesting initial help or /
workshops based on the recommendation of schools and colleges who
previously received our help. We have been asked to repeat student training
at three schools, teacher training at two others, and have been invited for the
third time to the Maine Summer Safety Institute. MATS partners have tripled since EPA
convened the initial group, and the Green Campus program has lead to an effort to take the
program national. A formal evaluation of workshop attendees and schools visited is
scheduled for 2000.
College/University InItiatIve
Colleges and universities are faced with the unique challenge of achieving and maintaining
compliance with environmental laws while operating in an academic/research setting. In
addition, a heightened enforcement presence at colleges and universities in New England has
resulted in this sector clamoring for assistance programs to help clarify and come into
compliance with their regulatory requirements.
EPA-New England has been coordinating its enforcement and compliance assistance
resources to address environmental noncompliance issues and promote pollution prevention
at colleges and universities in New England. Through past inspections in this sector, EPA-
New England has found particular comp [ iance problems with hazardous waste management
requirements of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the oil pollution
prevention requirements of the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act.
EPA-New England announced in March 1999 that we would be focusing enforcement efforts
on colleges and universities, and we subsequently conducted compliance evaluation
inspections at several. At the same time, we co-sponsored two workshops (in March and July
of 1999) to provide critical information to colleges and universities about how they can
comply with environmental laws and implement pollution prevention techniques.
Recently, we conducted a focus group for environmental, health and safety (EHS) staff at
colleges and universities. The focus group was held in November 1999 and allowed
participants an opportunity to “brainstorm” the types of tools and services necessary to
improve their environmental performance. The valuable information provided by the
participants, which included EHS staff, facility managers, and acuIty, is being used to develop
a strategy for this sector. The strategy will be shared with third party stakeholders
(consultants, environmental organizations, and vendors) and other assistance providers to see
if there is interest in partnering on future endeavors.
-6-
-------
Municipalities - Department of Public Works Highway Facilities
Our 1999 assistance work in this sector emphasized municipal Department
of Public Works (DPW) highway facility projects in New Hampshire and 7
Vermont. The main compliance issues addressed included fluids and / s: a d
materials management, as well as an emphasis on floor drain connections at
the facilities (RCRA, Clean Water Act, underground injection control, etc).
We also provided assistance on pollution prevention tools and techniques
including: performing oil analysis to extend the
life of oil in vehicles, and recycling and reuse of
fluids typically found at such facilities (antifreeze, Overview of Municipal Sector
CFCs/refrigerants, etc.). Assistance Work in 1999
A survey of the New Hampshire and Vermont Workshops 15
highway workshop attendees is now underway
and will be completed in the first quarter of 2000. Fact Sheets 3
A similar survey was conducted of attendees of
Massachusetts highway workshops held in late On-site assessments 13
1998. The Massachusetts survey indicated that, of
those who responded to the survey: 88% Energy audits 5
increased their awareness of environmental
problems; greater than 50% took action on
Speaking Engagements 7
compliance Issues; about 25% implemented
pollution prevention recommendations; and about
Articles published in 2
a third implemented better operational practices.
We expect similar results from the New
Hampshire and Vermont surveys.
Other assistance provided to DPWs, not specific to highway facilities included: establishing a
committee on energy issues and conducting five audits at selected wastewater treatment
facilities; conducting a workshop on modifying Sewer Use Ordinances; and conducting two
workshops on controlling metals in wastewater.
Wood Finishing
The wood finishing sector (which includes furniture manufacturing) was targeted when EPA
published a new regulation that covered air emissions from these facilities, the wood finishing
maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standard. Additionally, input from
stakeholders indicated some concerns about volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions
from wood finishing processes. One of the obvious ways to enhance compliance and directly
reduce VOC emissions in this sector was to promote lower VOC coating products.
-7-
-------
To achieve this goal, EPA funded the development of a Pollution Prevention (P2) video for
wood finishers that describes how P2 can both advance compliance and reduce emissions.
Over 500 copies of the EPA-New England video “Making P2 Work for You: Opportunities
for Wood Coaters” and an accompanying P2/compliance resource order form have been
distributed upon request nationwide and in Canada. The video covers P2 techniques
(coatings, applications equipment, etc) that can help accomplish or go beyond compliance.
More than 50 evaluations were received and they were very positive; several manufacturers
indicated willingness to talk about their successes with improved coatings, equipment and
other pollution preventive practices.
EPA’s Wood Coating Technology Fair, held in November 1998, was fully subscribed at 200
participants and received enthusiastic reviews. The Fair featured exhibits and presentations
by 25 vendors of environmentally preferable coatings and application equipment. The Fair
provided a one-stop-shopping opportunity for small and medium-sized wood finishers to find
technologies to help them come into or go beyond compliance. EPA called the vendors in
May, 1999 to assess what requests for advanced technologies or services they had received as
a result of the Fair. Responses indicated that vendors had received many inquiries into
alternative products and equipment as a result of the Fair. ‘While some smaller sales have
occurred already, vendors told us that it is too early to expect major equipment or coating
changes.
We also produced and widely distributed a fact sheet entitled Wood Furniture Manufacturers:
How to Determine Your Obligations Under the NESHAP- A Fact Sheet With Sample
Calculations . This fact sheet is designed to help small/medium facilities who are on the
borderline or uncertain about their status under the air regulations, and who may be able to
qualify for an exemption by reducing their usage of hazardous chemicals. In addition,
working with state and interstate partners, we also finished three state P2/compliance guides
for wood finishers in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Work in this sector was phased
Out in 1999.
Other NEEATeam Assistance
Mercury Challenge- Partners for Change
This regional program encourages New England medical facilities and supporting
organizations to eliminate mercury and/or mercury-containing waste by 2003. Facilities
commit to meet their own reduction goals and agree to make a good faith effort to identify
and implement pollution prevention measures. In order to become recognized as a Mercury
Challenge Partner, each facility must: conduct a baseline survey; develop measurable mercury
goals; develop an action plan outlining their reduction goal for mercury and the steps to
achieve the goal; and track their progress. To date, we have received and are processing a
total of 21 applications for this program.
-8-
-------
Assistance Response
Assistance Response is our strategy to provide timely compliance and
pollution prevention assistance for regional priorities. The highlights for /
the 1999 Assistance Response effort include three workshops: a chrome /Secor \
I t r e
Maximum Achievable: Control Technology (MACT) workshop in (
Connecticut that was attended by 50 people and two RCRA laboratory
compliance workshops that attracted a total of 300 attendees. The
Assistance Response effort also included approximately seven mass mailings, several of which
included materials developed by the Assistance & Pollution Prevention Office.
Right-to-Know
The goal of our regional Right-to-Know team is to facilitate reporting of
hazardous chemical information to local, state, and federal agencies, as well
as to ensure that these agencies, and the general public are able to use this
information for planning, prevention, response, and to reduce the risks
from those chemicals. The variety of support and expertise that the team
provides is described on its homepage, which is posted on EPA-New
England’s website www.epa.gov/region0l/steward/emerplan/.
In 1999, the team was charged with three national priorities:
The Toxics Release Inventory “New Sectors” 1998 Reporting In 1999, seven new
regulatory sectors were required to reporting Toxics Release Inventory (TM) data to
EPA and the states. The new sectors are: electric utilities; commercial hazardous
waste treatment; wholesale chemical and allied products; petroleum bulk terminals
and plants; solvent recovery services; metal mining; and coal mining. The team did
informational mailings to these new sectors, contacted their trade associations, spoke
at several meetings, and offered seven TM “New Sectors” compliance assistance
workshops. We also co-sponsored three “train the trainer” workshops and offered
eight additional workshops for current TM reporters. Over 450 facilities
participated.
Risk Management Plans (RMP) under Clean Air Action Section 1 12r Hundreds of
New England facilities were required to prepare Risk Management Plans (RMP) to
identit ’ and reduce the risk of chemical accidents. The team did a variety of outreach
to these facilities in 1999, including informational mailings, presentations, and close
coordination with state and local emergency planning officials.
-9-
-------
EPA’s Multi-media Persistent Bioaccumulatjve Toxics (PBTs)
Strategy Our work on EPA’s strategy to reduce the risk from the
most persistent toxic chemicals (in particular mercury) included / Cor n
mailings, presentations, and training to industry, as well as state and / R htIoKnow
local officials.
In addition, the team spent significant time on our regional goal of supporting state and local
officials. One priority was to work with each of the six New England State Emergency
Response Commissions (SERCs) to assist them in adopting electronic reporting of hazardous
chemical inventories. In 1999, the team supported the SERCs at 22 of their meetings, as
well as nine training sessions, and also provided on-site technical and compliance assistance.
As a result, we now have electronic access to over 20,000 chemical-specific reports which we
make available to other regional programs.
The team also provided focused compliance assistance and information to Massachusetts and
New Hampshire towns and cities which are trying to share emergency planning resources
through regional Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs). By assisting these
regional LEPCs, an additional 85 communities in New Hampshire and Massachusetts are
now gathering EPCRA data from their local businesses, developing regional emergency
response plans, and actively preventing pollution during their annual business inspections.
In one specific success story, the team continued to support and expand the community right-
to-know environmental and educational project in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Recognized
nationally, the “Chelsea Model,” involves the team working with local emergency planning
officials and a local high school to obtain, computerize, and quality assure emergency
planning data concerning hazardous chemicals. The students learn several computer skills
and are educated about right-to-know chemicals and their community. The community
benefits by receiving more accurate information about chemical hazards. The team secured a
grant for Salem State College (an original partner in the Chelsea Model) to create a website
for the Chelsea Model project. Much of the success of the Chelsea Model is due to local
ownership and understanding of the community’s right-to-know information.
Small BusIness Assistance
Our small business program provides assistance to small businesses in
meeting environmental regulations and understanding their rights, while
being sensitive to the unique challenges faced by small businesses. The
regional Small Business Ombudsman (SBO) provides a point of contact for
small businesses to request compliance assistance, resolve compliance issues,
and obtain business/technical information that can help them meet their
regulatory obligations and improve their bottom line. Our 1999 work
focused on two priority areas:
-10-
-------
Network of Small Business Environmental Assistance Providers The small
business technical assistance programs and state small business ombudsmen
in each of the New England states met in the fall of 1999 to review their
programs, discuss future technical and compliance assistance efforts and
exchange data and information. This meeting represented the culmination of
an effort to form a network of small business environmental assistance
providers for the mutual benefit and cooperation at the state and regional level. EPA has
awarded several grants to New England states as a result of their innovative work with small
businesses. We hope to expand this network of small business environmental assistance
providers to other private and public small business providers.
Small Business Policy The regional SBO aggressively reached out to small businesses through a
number of associations and trade organizations to educate small business owners on the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) and the resulting EPA “Policy on
Compliance Incentives For Small Businesses,” also known as the “Small Business Policy.”
This policy provides two important benefits to businesses of 100 employees or less:
1) The policy allows small businesses to audit or receive on-site assistance and voluntarily
disclose and correct violations. Penalty elimination is available if certain conditions are met.
2) The policy allows small businesses to receive compliance assistance with a level of
protection provided for violations identified, if certain conditions are met. More information
about this policy is available at: http://www.es.epa.gov/oeca/smbusi.html
The regional SBO made over 20 presentations on this policy at various New England
meetings, and also represented EPA-New England at national small business assistance
meetings. Also, in 1999, the Office of Environmental Stewardship created a protocol to
process and track small business self-disclosures of environmental violations. As a result of
these efforts, over 30 small businesses have self-disclosed using the Small Business Policy.
Solid Waste Reduction
The mission of the solid waste reduction team is to reduce the amount of
solid waste being disposed through the promotion of solid waste reduction
w
and recycling. EPA-New England provides grant money and disseminates
information to the many organizations and agencies who make our goal a
reality. EPA also relies on and recognizes the efforts of our partners in the
business community who have committed to solid waste reduction. There are a variety of
programs and projects which EPA participated in or funded in 1999, including:
—11—
-------
Recycling
Over nine milhon people now recycle in New England. In 1980, less than 10% of
trash was recycled whereas New England states now have some of the highest
recycling rates in the country and are improving those rates. Most
Sa4idWa3 \
communities achieve a 25% recyclmg rate, with some national role models
in the region reaching over 50%. Most communities now successfully
recycle the standard recyclables including paper, glass, metal, plastic, and
compost yard waste. Recycling has increased in the past 20 years due to intense collection,
markets and buy-recycle efforts by EPA, states and local communities.
With a solid infrastructure in place for standard recyclables, EPA-New England is helping to
build an infrastructure in new frontiers such as electronics (computers, monitors, televisions)
and food waste, in order to help grow the recycling rates and divert more waste from landfills
and incinerators. Additionally, EPA-New England has focused on growing markets for
recyclables and has helped fund business financing seminars and recycling investment forums.
These EPA projects have helped over 500 companies, assisted in finding over $21 miffion in
financing and created over 200 jobs, diverting more than 200,000 tons of recycables.
According to one participant in a recycling investment forum, Geoff Perry of Cellutech,
ccparticipation in the forum provided my company with added credibility and helped us to
secure $350,000 in equity financing.”
Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT)
On the trash collection side, EPA has been promoting a new concept in trash management
called Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT). This is a method of paying for the amount (either by
volume or weight) of trash that you generate, just as you would with any utility in your
home. EPA is promoting PAYT in the New England states through tool kits, workshops,
and other technical assistance to the states. PAYT communities have realized the added
benefit of reducing the amount of trash generated, as well as increasing the amount recycled.
EPA’s national goal is to reach 35% recycled by 2005 and to reduce the amount of trash
generated to 4.3 pounds-per-person-per-day. By supporting and growing markets, as well as
implementing PAYT, we are well on our way to this goal in New England.
WasteWise
WasteWise is a voluntary partnership program between EPA and the business community.
The purpose of WasteWise is to spur substantial progress in reducing municipal solid waste
by working with businesses to identif r and implement innovative and cost-saving waste
reduction and reuse programs. WasteWise participants commit to: implement three
significant waste prevention activities; expand or improve programs to collect recyclables; and
increase the purchase andjor manufacture of products with recycled content.
-12-
-------
In New England, there are 60 active members, representing a diverse cross-section of the
region’s businesses. Pour organizations joined in 1999, including EPA-New England. In
1999, EPA-New England implemented its Tread Lightly program to reduce the
environmental impacts of our operations. We continue to make progress towards our goal
for the first year of a 6% reduction in greenhouse gases produced (directly and indirectly)
from EPA’s offices.
Research Library
EPA’s Solid Waste Reduction Team includes a Research Library for RCRA (Research
Library). The Research Library disseminates information about pollution prevention, waste
minimization, solid waste education, innovative technological developments, case studies, and
solid waste management programs internationally. The Research Library has technical and
regulatory information on all aspects of waste management, as well as information on
business, legal, public health, and remanufacturing issues, among others. Each year, the
Research Library responds to thousands of calls seeking information on a variety of topics.
The Research Library also helps match organizations with potential non-EPA funding
opportunities. In 1999, nany organizations received grant money as a result of the assistance
they received from the Research Library. In addition, other firms benefitted from the
Research Library’s waste management assistance.
Global Climate Change
The mission of EPA-New England’s Global Climate Change team is to inform the public
about the science, potential environmental impacts and developing national policies on climate
change, and to encourage them to plan for potential climate change impacts through
adaptation and by undertaking voluntary actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Education
Our goal is to stimulate interest and the exchange of ideas concerning
climate change in order to empower the public to help us address this
significant environmental issue. To facilitate public education, in1999, we
produced the 2nd edition of our “Website Guide to Global Climate Change.”
The document is available in both hard copy and on our EPA-New England
website http://www.epa.govfregiono 1/steward/cchange/guide.html.
-13-
-------
Partnership Programs
As part of EPA’s global climate change efforts, we have conducted outreach
and education to market and recruit entities into EPA’s voluntary, energy
efficiency, and pollution prevention programs to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. Programs include: Cities for Climate Protection program; Green
Lights and EnergyStar Buildings Partnership programs; EnergyStar Small
Business program; and the ClimateWise program. These programs are
designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conventional regulated air
pollutant emissions, and save participant& money, while reducing energy use through
increased efficiency.
As a result of the global climate change efforts by EPA and its partners, the expected or
obtained benefits include:
o energy efficiency gains;
c i pollution prevention;
o reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (C0 2 ) and conventional regulated pollutants
(e.g. SO 2 , NOx, particulates, mercury, ozone precursors);
ci cost savings to businesses and taxpayers;
o education of participants (and respective constituencies) on connections between
environmental/public health protection and energy efficiency/use; and
o the promotion and use of highly efficient, cutting edge efficiency technologies.
In 1999, four Massachusetts cities (Cambridge, Lynn, Medford and Newton) joined the
Cities for Climate Protection program. The City of Burlington, Vermont has been in the
program for several years, leading the way in New England to demonstrate that cities are
interested in voluntarily inventorying their greenhouse gas emissions and developing action
agendas to mitigate them. With EPA funding, five New England states have completed
greenhouse gas emission inventories. Two states have also completed climate change
mitigation action plans, two have action plans now under development, and two plan to do
an action plan in the future. In addition, Federal agencies in New England have completed
greenhouse gas emission surveys to inventory their greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of the
inventories is to provide baseline data, educate decisionmakers and inform citizens.
-14-
-------
Number of participants in New England:
Total energy savings from all upgrades
I (lighting and whole building)
Total energy bill savings from all upgrades:
riotal CO 2 prevented:
Total SO 2 prevented:
lotal NOx prevented:
243
943.8 million kWh
$ 72.2 million
1,346.2 million pounds
8.4 million pounds
4 million pounds
Green Lights and EnergyStar Buildings Partnership
programs annual savings:
Energy from all upgrades:
Energy bill savings:
Metric tons of CO 2 equivalent:
Cars equivalent off the road:
Trees planted equivalent:
Total number of participants:
Total number of participants:
98.7 million kWh
$ 22.3 million
CO 2 prevention:
57.3 thousand
46.4 thousand
63.6 thousand acres
EnergyStar Small Business
80
ClimateWise
81
Green Lights and EnergyStar Buildings Partnership
Programs Cumulative Accomplishments:
-15-
-------
INNOVATION
Our regional innovations work has many connections with our assistance work, but it often
has a different purpose. In some cases, such as with the national XL program, the goal is to
identify and implement alternatives to national regulatory programs that have the promise of
offering superior environmental protection. In other cases, such as with our programs to
promote Environmental Management Systems, we work with top performing companies to
assess innovative strategies to achieve and go beyond compliance. In all cases, the goal is to
look forward and develop promising alternatives that can help EPA achieve its core mission of
environmental protection.
Environmental Management Systems
Many of our innovative programs both promote and evaluate the use of an
Environmental Management Systems (EMS). An EMS is basically a way
for an organization (private or public) to identify and systematically
manage its environmental responsibilities. Instead of focusing on
individual regulatory requirements, EMSs develop a systematic approach
to the management of environmental issues that improves compliance as a
product of better management. EMSs include policies and procedures,
such as training programs and the use of self audits. Evaluation and correction
of quality EMSs.
Environmental
Management
Systems
is a key feature
There is increasing recognition of the potential for EMSs to help organizations maintain
compliance and achieve better overall environmental performance. Several state agencies have,
or are considering, laws and policies to reward companies that develop and use an EMS. For
a regulatory agency such as EPA, EMSs present an opportunity to encourage greater
compliance and performance. Yet, there are still many questions regarding their use and
benefits.
EPA has long supported the use of systematic management approaches for maintaining
compliance at regulated facilities. While several EMS standards are in use worldwide, a
voluntary international EMS standard, ISO 14001, has been adopted by the U.S. and many
other countries. While ISO 14001 has no official regulatory standing at this time, EPA and
states are exploring the potential use of ISO 14001 in a public policy context through various
pilot projects and initiatives. This exploration is especially ambitious at EPA-New England.
-16-
-------
Starlrack: Third Party Certification
StarTrack is a voluntary program designed to address several challenges:
• Resources are not sufficient for EPA or the states to be able to inspect all regulated
facilities.
• Environmental laws and regulations do not address many significant environmental
problems (such as impacts on global climate change).
• We need more information and experience in how a regulatory agency such as EPA
can leverage a company’s decision to implement an EMS to improve environmental
quality.
Facilities participating in the StarTrack Program agree to audit their environmental
management and compliance performance each year; prepare and publish a comprehensive
environmental performance report annually; and have their audit results reviewed and
certified by an independent third party every three years. StarTrack Program participants
receive benefits including recognition for participation and completion of program
requirements, partnerships with EPA, state, and other regulatory agencies; modified
inspection priority; and penalty mitigation for violations that are corrected within the
designated correction period.
Fifteen organizations in New England are currently participating in the StarTrack Program,
including two Federal facilities. These organizations are demonstrating the effectiveness of
environmental management systems (EMSs), including compliance audits, in identifying
potential weaknesses in a facility’s environmental performance. Also, through the corrective
action and continuous improvement process, they are demonstrating the effectiveness of
EMSs in ensuring sustainable compliance.
c StarTrackhjsaccdcratcd our ctforc:s to upgrade orgamzation-widc ESH perform an cc.”
Raymond Lizott
Scnior Environmcnral Speciaiisç
Texas Instruments
Matcrials & Controls Group
__ __ ___ ___ __ Atdcborn,M
The StarTrack Environmental Performance Report Guidance was revised and updated in
1999 so that it aligns more closely with emerging voluntary reporting standards, such as the
Global Reporting Initiative and the CERES principles. Most significantly, through the
facility’s environmental performance reports, regulated entities are voluntarily providing
-17-
-------
EPA with information on their environmental performance targets, absolute and normalized
trend data for core environmental indicators, and results of ongoing regulatory compliance
efforts. This data includes non-regulatory environmental information, such as reductions in
total electrical usage and total water usage.
As a pilot program, it is essential that the elements of the StarTrack Program continue to be
examined and improved. EPA and state inspectors participated in many of the StarTrack
audits to provide feedback and suggestions for improving the audit process. An EPA
contractor has been reviewing the third party certification process through both review of
program guidance materials and field observations and will be issuing a report. As the
StarTrack Program moves forward, we expect to emphasize refinement of the certification
process and to align, where appropriate, with EPA Headquarters’ Performance Track
initiative.
[ StarTrack Participants in 1999 StarTrack Participan& Accomplishments
(Number of Facilities Completing
BOC Gases I each Activity)
çLurol
Dexter Corporation Conducted Compliancc Audit 15
E G & G Elccu-o-Optics
Environrnciital Soil Managcmcnt Inc Conductcd EMS Audi ’ 15
GAF Materials Corporation Gap Analysis
International Paper Company-
Androscoggin Mill Established Environmental Policy 14
&indcrs, A Lockhced Martm Co
Spalding Sports Published Environmental 11
Texas Instruments, Materials & Control Performance Reports
Group
Toray Plastics Set Environmental Targets 9
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station & Objectives
Ti S. Postal Service
LUnhlcvcr 1—IP Identified Environmental 8
Aspects & Impacts
anagcment Review of EMS 8
L____ ____
-18-
-------
EMS Implementation and Research Projects
State EMS Pilots: New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the
Narragansett Bay Commission are conducting pilot projects supported by national and
regional EPA grants to provide training and assistance to small to medium sized facilities in
implementing EMSs. The New Hampshire and Vermont pilots are part of a national series of
projects to assist regulated entities in implementing EMSs based on ISO 1.4001 and to
contribute data to a national research project to aid in evaluating the benefits of EMSs (see
National EMS Research Database below). The Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection (MADEP) is implementing an EMS “Peer Assistance” program, pairing companies
who have established an EMS with companies who want to implement them, and identifying
facility “leading indicators” of environmental performance to facilitate the management
process.
Municipality EMS pilot : This pilot, funded by EPA Headquarters’ Office of Water, is
assisting government agencies, primarily municipalities, in implementing effective EMSs.
New England participants include the City of Lowell, Massachusetts, the Town of
Londonderry, New Hampshire and a Massachusetts Department of Corrections facility.
National EMS Research Database : The EPA Headquarters’ Office of Water is sponsoring a
national research project to aid in evaluating whether EMS implementation can achieve equal
or better environmental results than regulatory compliance alone and to determine the
environmental and economic results on subject firms and the public. The project is a joint
effort of EPA, the Multi-State Working Group on Environmental Management Systems, the
University of North Carolina and the Environmental Law Institute. Data on approximately
100 pilot projects will be collected and made publicly available.
Innovative Technology:
The Center for Environmental Industry and Technology
Recognizing that New England has a rich supply of innovative ideas and technologies that
would benefit both the environment and the economy — if only they could
find their way to the marketplace — EPA-New England established the
Center for Environmental Industry and Technology (the Center) in 1994. 7
The mission of the Center is to be a window to resources, people, and /
programs for the environmental technology industry in New England, and
to promote the acceptance of innovative environmental technologies to solve
the most significant environmental problems in New England.
-19-
-------
During 1999, the Center undertook a number of key activities to help bring new technologies
to the marketplace and to address the concerns of the envirotech industry. Through its
hotline, the Center responded to more than 1,000 calls over the past year. Also, a workshop
was held to provide a forum for increasing awareness of EPA’s Small Business Innovative
Research (SBIIt) Program, the agency’s only research and development funding source for
small businesses.
Outreach on Innovative Environmental Technologies
Over the past three years, the Center has organized 13 technology trade shows on innovative
technologies which address non-point source pollution, a significant environmental problem
in New England. In 1999, the five technology trade shows covered stormwater technologies,
and on-site wastewater treatment and disposal technologies. These trade shows attracted
more than 1,200 state and local officials, consultants and engineers. A Products and Services
Guide was developed for each show to assist participants and others in evaluating available
technology options. The trade shows included a day of presentations on the regulations and
the innovative technologies. It also offered the participants the opportunity to see new
systems firsthand and discuss specific site problems.
rn c value of the storm vatcr trade shows has been documented by Vorrcchnics,a regular exhibitor
and presenter at the trade shows and rccipicnt of EPA’s Environmental Tcchnology Innovator
Award According to Vortcchnics, we feel thc educational environment in this serics of shows
has bcci an invaluable resourcc for water-quality professionals who may have previously bccii
iana varc of innovations in thc cmcrging field of stormwatcr crcatrnent ” _____
Also in 1999, the Center established the Innovative Technology Inventory, a website database
of commercially-available innovative environmental technologies. According to Best
Management Products, Inc., whose technology is featured in the Innovative Technology
Inventory, by providing such outstanding platforms to introduce new technologies and
exchange information, you have made it possible for small companies with big ideas to reach
the eyes and ears of those in the public sector who are hungry for cost-effective solutions to
environmental challenges.” This inventory, along with the Center’s technical bulletin,
TECHNOVATION, are two more ways that the Center is working to promote greater
acceptance of innovative technologies in the marketplace. TECHN OVATION is mailed
quarterly to more than 3,000 people who need access to timely information about emerging,
innovative environmental technologies.
-20-
-------
New England interstate Regulatory Cooperation Project
The Center has also collaborated with the New England Governors Conference (NEGC) to
initiate the New England Interstate Regulatory Cooperation Project. This project is a
remarkable compact of the six New England state environmental agencies who are working
cooperatively in a regional program to promote the acceptance of innovative environmental
technologies. By involving a regional review process, the approach has proven successful for
on-site wastewater treatment and disposal technologies, site characterization and monitoring
technologies for small hazardous waste sites, and pollution prevention technologies. Working
with our New England state partners and other interstate organizations, the Center continues
to promote the acceptance of innovative environmental technologies across state lines, in
1999, as part of the New England Interstate Regulatory Cooperation Project, the Center
facilitated the signing of a third Memorandum of Agreement and two additional Advisory
Opinions.
XL Project Develoomeni
Project XL, (eXcellence and Leadership) is a national pilot program which
seeks areas where specific changes to regulations could provide better
environmental protection and a better solution for the regulated group. / \
Our principal regional focus has been keeping faith with our project / ‘• \
j’ Development
partners, striving to fairly represent both the project sponsor’s interest and 1..,
EPA’s desire for continuing environmental improvement. We have worked
hard on improving the X l process in order to achieve improved program
efficiency.
During 1999, the XL program has begun to mature and reach its potential. Significant steps
have been taken to make the XL process more understandable and streamlined. At EPA
Headquarters, the Office of Policy and Reinvention (OPR) was reorganized under new
leadership, and it has developed and provided to the regions a set of XL Program Guidelines.
The guidelines cover proposal development, the stakeholder involvement process, and
development of a Final Project Agreement (EPA). These guidelines have contributed to
rationalizing the process and allowing it to run more smoothly.
Current EPA-New England XL Projects
New England University Labs XL Project
In 1996, several New England universities, under the sponsorship of the Laboratory
Consortium for Environmental Excellence (a non-profit group facilitated by ML Strategies,
Boston), proposed an XL project for managing laboratory wastes. The Final Project
Agreement and Rule resulted in the promulgation of the project as an XL pilot project on
September 28, 1999. Under this project, three universities (University of Massachusetts-
Boston, Boston College and the University of Vermont) will test an alternative system for
managing lab wastes. There are numerous environmental improvements anticipated.
-21-
-------
Massachusetts Environmental Results Program (ERP)
In October 1998, EPA and the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection (MADEP) signed an historic XL final project
agreement to test the Massachusetts Environmental Results Program D e nl
(ERP). The project replaces conventional, time-consuming, state-issued
permits for each individual business with uniform industry-wide environmental
performance standards that each business must certify they are meeting.
Current sectors included in this program are printers, dry cleaners, and photo processors
representing 10,000 Massachusetts companies. The Massachusetts model is being evaluated
around the nation as the next wave of smart environmental regulation.
HADCO
HADCO is a printed circuit board manufacturer with three facilities in New Hampshire and
New York. The company generates a metal hydroxide sludge (F006 waste), which it would
like to be removed from regulation as a hazardous waste, in order to enhance the direct
recycling of metal bearing waste streams generated by HADCO’s manufacturing processes.
HADCO’s proposal was accepted as one of the original XL pilot projects, with the goal of
devising an alternative to the existing process for delisting a waste, which has historically
taken four to six years to implement. Development of this FPA involved extensive
coordination with HADCO, two EPA regions, two state environmental agencies, EPA
Headquarters personnel in several offices, and various stakeholders.
XL Projects In Development
International Paper - Predktive Emissiom Monitoring (IP-1)
The company has proposed to develop, test and implement a computer generated predictive
emissions monitoring (PEM) system for the mill’s waste fuel incinerator (WFI). The system
would correlate operating parameters to emission rates and predict pollutant emissions on a
continuous basis. This would provide tangible compliance information on stack emissions
that would exceed current Federal and state monitoring frequency regulations and enhance
environmental protection. The model will assist in optimizing WFI emissions, thereby
potentially allowing the mill to operate at reduced emission rates without reducing
production.
International Paper - Effluent Improvements (IP-2)
The company has proposed to do a series of effluent improvement projects instead of
implementing the best management practices (BMPs) as required under the water portion of
the Pulp & Paper Cluster Rule. The company feels it can achieve better environmental results
througn an alternative project rather than by implementing the BMPs. The company has also
volunteered to take enforceable limits for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color in its
upcoming NPDES permit.
-22-
-------
IBM - Copper Metallization, Process Delãting
The project would rewgnize the copper metallization process used in chip manufacture as
being a new and different process from the electroplating process designated as an F006
process under RCRA. This project was selected for FPA development in October 1999.
Narn gan cett Bay Commission (NBC) - Publiely Owned Treatment Works (POTW) InnDvations
As part of the national POTW solicitation, NBC is proposing to reallocate resources away
from inspections of large facilities (especially Tier 1 facilities) that have historically excellent
compliance records, and devote the resources to Tier 2 facilities which are making an effort,
but need assistance to achieve compliance.
cc)(L is one of the best projects that the mill has ever bccn involved in because it has allowed us to
use our ingenuity to achieve cnvironnicntal improvement, while tinprovuig both process and
profitability”
I Steve Groves
Manager, Environmental, Health & Safety
International Paper Androscoggui Mill
National Innovation Programs
Beyond New England, EPA has also made a national commitment to innovation. The best
overview of this agenda can be found in the July, 1999 “Aiming for Excellence” report which
outlines 10 separate actions that EPA will take to accelerate environmental progress. A copy
of the “Aiming for Excellence” report can be found on the EPA webs ite at
http://www.epa.gov/reinvent/taskforce.
In her memo transmitting the report to EPA staff, Administrator Carol Browner emphasized
two specific goals that she had related to the report:
1) First, we need to do a better job of providing compliance assistance to those that need
it.
2) Second, we need to provide more motivation for companies and other organizations
to strive toward superior environmental performance, and do more to recognize and
reward the very best performers.
The work of the Assistance and Pollution Prevention Office is very much in alignment with
these goals, and A&P2 staff have been active participants in developing national strategies for
Environmental Management Systems, incentive programs, and compliance assistance
strategies. We expect thi national agenda to shape much of our work in the years to come.
-23-
-------
Assistance & Pollution Prevention Office
Program Contacts
Co-Managers
Tom D’Avanzo, 617-918-1801, davanzo.thomas@epa.gov
Gregory Roscoe, 617-918-1741, roscoe.gregory@epa.gov
Sector Based Assistance
Metal Finishing
Linda Darveau, 617-918-1718, darveau.linda@epa.gov
Auto Repair and Refinishing
Mary Dever, 617-918-1717, dever.mary@epa.gov
Votech Schools and Two-Year Technical Colleges
Lee Fiske, 617-918-1847, fiske.lee@epa.gov
Joan Jouzaitis, 617-918-1846, jouzaitis.joan@epa.gov
College/University Initiative
Peggy Bagnoli, 617-918-1828 ,bagnoli.peggy@epa.gov
Municipalities- DPWH ghway Facilities
Jack Healey, 617-918-1844, hea1ey.jack@epa.gov
Chris Jendras, 617-918-1845, jendras.chris@epa.gov
Abby Swaine, 617-918-1841, swaine.abby@epa.gov
Wood Finishing
Abby Swaine, 617-918-1841, swaine.abby@epa.gov
Mercu y Challenge- Partners for Change
Janet Bowen, 617-918-1795, bowen.janet@epa.gov
Assistance Response
Anne Leiby, 617-918-1076, leiby.anne@epa.gov
-24-
-------
Right-to-Know
Dwight Peavey, 617-918-1829, peavey.dwight@epa.gov
Small Business Assistance
Larry Wells, 617-918-1836, wells.Iarry@epa.gov
Solid Waste Reduction
Cynthia Greene, 617-918-1813, greene.cynthia@epa.gov
Global Climate Change
Cynthia Greene, 617-918-1813, greene.cynthia@epa.gov
Environmental Management Systems
Martha Curran, 617-918-1802, curran.martha@epa.gov
Innovative Technology
Maggie Theroux, 617-918-1613, theroux.maggie@epa.gov
XL Project Development
George Frantz, 617-918-1883, frantz.george@epa.gov
National Innovation Programs
David Guest, 617-918-1814, guest.david@epa.gov
P or more information on EPA-New England programs, please contact
the EPA-New England Customer Call Center at 1-888-372-7341.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 1, New England
One Congress Street, Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02114-2023
-25-
------- |