EPA New England' s
Assistance & Pollution Prevention Office
2000 Annual Report
Assistance
Innovation
Center for
Environmental
Assistance
Industry &
Technology
(CELT)
Small
Business
Co-Managers
Project XL
Solid
. Waste \ support Team /„ ,
Reduction ^\ rsr / Performance
Track
Global
Climate /
Change,/ ; Environmental
Energy j Management
Systems
(EMS)
Sustainability
-------
*. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
\ REGION 1
\ 1 CONGRESS STREET, SUITE 1100
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02114-2023
%(
January 2001
Dear Reader:
We hope you enjoy this year's Annual Report on the work of the EPA New England's Assistance
and Pollution Prevention (A&P2) Office. We appreciated the comments we received on last year's
report and are very interested in any feedback you have on this year's report. Your feedback helps
us to be more effective in choosing, implementing and informing you about our work.
In an effort to keep our work on the cutting edge of environmental protection and environmental
performance, you may notice a change in our mission and emphasis for this year. An emerging
priority related to our updated mission statement is the notion that we can no longer be satisfied with
engendering improved performance in the areas that we select. We must move beyond making
improvements to making good environmental performance sustainable and encouraging behavior
that is environmentally sustainable. To that end, we have added sustainability to environmental
assistance and innovation as the key mission principles for our office. You will also find this
commitment reflected on the A&P2 "wheel" located at the front of this report.
This report endeavors to summarize our work in providing assistance and leadership on advancing
important environmental problems in New England and nationally and making those improvements
sustainable We have also included updates in this report to let you know where we are headed in
our efforts in 2001.
Because a summary report such as this can only briefly touch upon topics of significance and
complexity, you may have specific questions that warrant further response or discussion. We
encourage you to contact us by phone at 617-918-1790 or visit the regional web site at
(www.epa.gov/regionl/compliance/assist/index html) Or, write to us at U.S. EPA- Region 1;
Assistance and Pollution Prevention Office; 1 Congress St; Suite 1 100 Mail Code SPP; Boston, MA
02114-2023.
Finally, we wish to acknowledge that all our efforts and accomplishments require a high degree of
involvement and support from many partners, both within and outside of EPA. In particular, we
wish to acknowledge our New England state and interstate partners, business associations, advocacy
groups, local government, the general public and many others.
Toll Free • 1-888-372-7341
Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov/region1
Recycled/Recyclable 'Printed with Vegetable Oil Basod Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 30% Postconsumer)
-------
We in the Assistance and Pollution Prevention Office are honored to be able to advance
environmental stewardship here in New England and hope that you too will find value and import
in the work summarized in this report. These important efforts are brought to you by the committed
and talented staff that comprise the Assistance and Pollution Prevention Office.
Sincerely,
L
Grego Roscoe and Thomas D’A o
Co-Managers
;
Cynthia Greene and Anne Leiby
Senior Advisors
Assistance and Pollution Prevention Office
7 7 t yf d -
Martha Curran
Team Leader, Environmental Management Systems Team
1S p
Lee Fiske
Team Leader, New England Environmental Assistance Team (NEEATeam)
c
George’ rautz )
/ ‘— —— .
Team Leader, Project XL
Center for Environmental Indust & Technology
Larry W’ ils
Team Leader, Small Business Team
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
ASSISTANCE 2
Sector Based Assistance 2
Schools (K- 12 and Vocational) 3
Colleges! Universities 5
Municipalities - Department of Public Works (DPW) 6
Metal Finishing 8
Wood Finishing 10
Auto Repair and Refinishing 11
Mercury Challenge for Hospitals 12
Assistance Response 13
EPCRA/Right-to-Know 14
Small Business Assistance 15
SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE AND PRACTICES 18
INNOVATION 22
Environmental Management Systems . 22
Innovative Technology 26
Regulatory Innovations - Project XL 29
CONTACTS 31
-------
INTRODUCTION
In 1994, EPA New England - Region 1 (EPA New England) created the Office of Environmen-
tal Stewardship (OES) to advance environmental performance in New England. OES is
comprised of an Enforcement Office and the Office of Assistance and Pollution Prevention
(A&P2). The mission of the Enforcement Office is to create a deterrence to regulatory
non-compliance, to neutralize the economic benefit of non-compliance and help companies
who are attempting to comply. The mission of the Assistance and Pollution Prevention
Office is to provide environmental assistance to the regulated community that will lead to
improved environmental performance, to encourage environmentally sustainable behavior,
and to develop and implement innovative approaches to environmental protection. To-
gether, these offices offer a wide range of tools that are used individually or are strategi-
cally integrated to promote the best environmental results.
Several principles have guided the work of the Assistance & Pollution Prevention Office:
Adopting a “problem-solving” approach to New England’s environment. Identi1 ring
the specific environmental or compliance problems we’re trying to solve has
enabled US to better focus and target our activities.
U Developing “integrated strategies” to solve those priority problems. Integrated
strategies help us effectively utilize all our enforcement and assistance tools in a
way that strategically optimizes outcomes relevant to the priority problems
identified.
U Evaluating outcomes and developing effective measures of success. Measuring the
outcomes of assistance and other behavior targeted tools targeted to change behav-
ior can be difficult. A&P2 aggressively explores new approaches to assess the
success of our programs.
Li Fostering a culture of innovation. We promote an organizational culture that
embraces thoughtful experimentation, that supports efforts to use resources more
efficiently, that offers new solutions to regional and national problems, with a
focus on measurable results that demonstrate environmental benefits.
In 2000, A&P2 staff completed over 307 activities that reached over 38,000 companies,
agencies, municipalities, hospitals and schools. As discussed more fully in this report,
these activities utilized a wide assortment of tools we have created and supported, includ-
ing internet web resources, workshops, mailings, guidance documents, and on-site assis-
tance to address important environmental problems in New England.
For 2001, the Assistance and Pollution Prevention Office continues to emphasize three
basic components: 1) Environmental Assistance 2) Innovation and 3) Environmental
Sustainability.
One new area receiving particular emphasis for 2001 is the sustainability of good environ-
mental performance. Sustainability requires both encouraging environmentally respon-
sible practices and making good performance sustainable. We are developing a track
record of improved performance; our next challenge is to sustain these improvements.
1
-------
ASSISTANCE
Environmental assistance includes compliance, management process, technical and pol-
lution prevention assistance given to the regulated community to improve environmental
performance . Over the past five years, this type of assistance has ranged from telephone
assistance to the development of fact sheets, manuals, and websites to on-site assistance
which have proven to be an effective method to reach large segments of the regulated
community and to help them fulfill their regulatory obligations, as well as embrace sound,
sustainable environmental practices. Whether it’s assisting metal finishers with solvent
emissions requirements or helping communities make better use of environmental data,
providing environmental assistance is now a fundamental tool for our evolving role in
environmental protection.
In addition to the work that we do in our region, EPA New England has been effectively
engaged in the newest strategic planning efforts for compliance assistance nationally.
The Assistance & Pollution Prevention office is represented on EPA’s national compliance
assistance workgroup which is comprised of representatives from all 10 EPA regions and a
wide variety of EPA HQ programs for planning, coordination, implementation and measure-
ment of a variety of compliance tools, services, issues and projects. This workgroup inter-
acts with the Compliance Assistance Advisory Committee, created pursuant to Federal
Advisory Committee Act (FACA) in 2000 to provide EPA with their formal recommendations
for improving compliance assistance planning, delivery and measurementvb cx initiatives.
Communication and cooperation among the regions and program offices has resulted in
better coordination among those working on common sectors or projects including schools,
small business sectors, etc. Those connections have been particularly fruitful for EPA New
England, resulting in us receiving $105,000 for 2001 Compliance Assistance projects. These
projects include an EPCRA 313 guide for metal finishers; an examination of business
practice indicators and trends to identify new areas where environmental concerns should
be addressed; and web-based tools to help schools identify and address sources of poten-
tial toxics exposure in schools. At least $750,000 in grant funds will be received by states
and an interstate organization in New England in 2001 for projects related to compliance
assistance measurement, data improvement, and access to data.
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. The team fo-
cuses on assisting sectors that have been targeted as regional or national EPA priorities.
In 2000, these sectors included metal finishing, auto repair and refinishing, schools (K-12
and vocational), colleges and universities, municipalities, and wood finishing. To improve
performance in these sectors, the team developed sector-wide strategies that attempt to
address the most pressing environmental problems posed by these sectors. To support
these strategies and address these environmental problems, the NEEATeam developed a
range of tools such as:
2
-------
(1
( 1
I t 1 / 3
I I
t r t I
)
( I
N I I c c t
I ))
c 1 r i ( I I [
P 1
I ‘ 1 (C
I t
1 c I I
I I t I
1
I
1 1 )
II 1
I
11
1
-------
in M a’hritts and Maine EPA worked with oth r oi pnizatioris to edu ate the staff at
voc it h schools on tech nc ii legal eqiii ements and be t manag ment pra tk es pe
tairirn f ro chemical u e sWi ig arid disposal EPk spol e at conic renecs and st riled
exhibit booth at ev nt sponsored by. Bur 1mph ii Board of He a1 h, Barnstable Cour ty
Boar ci of Health f hnu al faint alor Association of Massar husetts MA Association of
Science Supervisors MA ‘icachers A.ssociatiori the MA Vocational Edu ttion Association
and th Manic Department of fabor EPA ilso conducted four on site visits at schools tins
year whir h inc ]ude d ed icatin teat hers about potenti i1 hazards posed by chemicals hem
u a d and eplainnig erivironnicr tal re guhtory requirements that pply to schools
rue Mass ni userts Multi Agency 1 ask I ore e on F’nvironinenl, Health and Safety in School
(M US) continued to be very active in 2000. In 199 / EPA helped create this multi agency
task force to rnaxinize the use of limited resources iii state and local governmental agen
tie as v ‘P1 is non pi Wit org iniz itions md to address environmental issues that u ise
wrthn the sec mcIar hool environnn nt Monthly MAT S meetings were h id this year
with repri sentative, front many st rte mgencics including the Department of Education.
Depmrtment of Publu I Itsdth Department of Labor Depai trne nt of Environmental Proret
tion, Executi c Olin e of Lrivirornnental Affairs, as well as several state coUe c arid univer
sity represent Hive and individuals from non profit orpanizations ill actively panic rpahri .
As a r stilt of the ,e mecting , Mass me husetts is now tie v loping a si mt wide v or kplan for
addr’ atm envn onnu nt ii issues ni its choots
Fain, -Plaits
In 2001 UP k ‘ il1 e orltinuL t work nith tate and lo 1 ,fficials u en nu th H 4ew I n
p1 md sc h ol arc ,afe Our work with MATS (winch includes it presentative s Er orn go ti is
merit at adenira prof sional educators associations md other school assistai cc provid
ci s) has d nit d us with iii effe tive model for how to continue this effort in other New
Enplarid H -He a Working in partnership with state md local orpaniz itions throughout New
England we are identifying and solving problems by pooling arid leveraging valuable tech
r it ml expe rtise arid resources and & stabhshrng venues for sharing inforniaticri
Based on le so s it trued in the past several ye ars, our worl in 2001 will he expanding to
inchicli adelres uig c onclitiori at secondary ‘chools while tt the same tune foci sing, more
specifically oi getting the toxics out ‘1 he goal of our new “ ‘I oxie s Free Schools effort is to
facilitate the r nioval of used, excess, arid unner ess my chemicaLs lromn classrooms main
tenant e ‘lost is, and tin many other places they arc found in schools while at the same
tune providing strategic s to staff and students for modifying their behaviors to prev nt
unace’p table eon ditforis Irom nec urnng
Plan for our 200 1 Toxic Vice Se hools progr am include the fbllowrng.
i pilot piojea t to utthae the’ uesoumces of Loeai I mergc n y Plamunng Coirmuttees (I f
to design and rmplemner t toxic clean outs at schools Within their junseluction;
• woi king with n e sponsible C Oi por ate p u trier to design appi opriate mc h innsmnis for thenni
to support clean out activities at schools;
• bringing togeth ‘r EI 1 A s technical e pertrse to comidue t chenrueal inventories and assist
will cheirucal r eninovals and
-------
1 ( C
t 1 1 1
C
1
I 1
1 11
I C t
I
I
L I C
1
I I )
I
I I
1 1 1 1
1
1
I
-------
I hc region h i 1 1 0 W ( O r c luttcc l cornp l ldnc cvdluatu)r l irispu tioi I t fliole than a c loieri
11 1 )t]tl lEi )ITLS I n the yeai 9000 we continue d our iss dflL( a etivitie b y ponsoririg work
shop on envn oiimerit ’il icguhttoiy rc (1u lre l l lent dt Woi eestcr Stati C ol eg atici the
c _ I si y of New Hanq liirc an d by o sp )fl. o l in g a wurIo )ho l) on L 1 nvu orunt nt ti PV1Un p
rn€i t Pr o , (EM ) t Ii tnri iii \ sirv I lit Nnr lhejsi Lu triers luip t hr v i rnniiienta l
I i ebriol )gy I dU( dUO ll C t II lI)US Coiis i hum foi F ny u oninent ñ Fxee llcw c and the a b e e
refeitn ed ln5t ltutlor ls helped I tT A make the ’ e wot kst ops a realit At least 30() irichvkli i
us att nded tlic se svo ikshop , .
In vh I i i iüii , W O C C ut iriued to a(]d S IL J ulieant nit terial to ore I F \ eollegc nd i mlv i rsity web
1)d”e (hfl ip i/Jv iwvtejj a gjvLa.gjortQjJstewa d ujjjyj. i ke wubpape diows us to ifft l( nt]y
distnbute th u lalest oiler motion on best rn -uiagerneiit 1Jr iiees its Iudiiig a C OSS to audit
C Ii k lists ‘aid protoeols t nvironrueiital iriauagen eat syste m iuc l intoi ma l i m u
sustairnbilttv/gn C a eaiupu pr -a tice Mea ur ( irierit odor L ai e u n der ‘ray to a se. t he
ehlec tiv (Ai s , ot th e tool wt l i tv nip loycd .
Future P la i t s .
()nee basie t oi lIJ)l1 i r a iiilaririatiari I available t ill C I . s, we b)laii to enter if t so ai i c!
1)has( at (J i l l sti a to 3 r \ \ / ( art 1)i uining t ) de l ap s e i de t iol to ha 1 t ti isi ir ear iip lia tiee
with envit unit s utal law - lied tdii tg tools to c riable C I IF to p i farm c i iviroiirxien t tI a utlit
of ttit ir taeih tie s and pi ovide ir C ritiv ( s to eiieai a a I k e n t to pertoi ni a oh atid it c 1 lodi
I - ally Lu l)arti( ular , El A will v at k with ( I t s and oi hers to develop i i i i iv i i oninc. utah
man tpeinent ystcin (LMS) ptucl tailai ed to t In it sect ir Onc 1t create d, this VMS LJi(l(
wilt oc mad a ’ a u ible to C /Lis whi a vvdi nelp us i ealue our g al oi fos ier r ip I )nt!n ou
i i iiproveru( id in thick p rI nmaxu
As a third d l i i’e of o ur st i it 1 y tin i egion f)l 1iis to pi oinote eiiviroi iiii ( ntilly osta nabli
l)ta( ti( I Oi l I ali t ye e inq uses ‘1 a do t hib [ P Nt.w Er 1 kland wll 1 et rage Oth( r resources
i n c httdiFtg C/Us r at lo t profit uistitiitiori aii(l traik )r aiiiiations to pro mote green
buildii ig (h r i l ,ii e iit i y C Oi lSCi vatiori , and otlici n a I l a ho t ! re(hl1c. thou inea ’uii es
6
-------
Proje t S(rateqij
Munk ip ilities like busincsst. have had mans en ii orime ntal inana v incnt re’ponsibih
tiu for dc cade . 1 loweve i until ice e’ntly, most envu onmental aSSI’ tari( C rind enfoi (C
merit pi ogi am’ hdVC I CC 1] Pu U )( (I on iidustiy. As t ii e and P der a! i egulatory agencies
n re med t 1 n P rm-p Loris of brgb r gar rp P bee im ippart nt th it there was i
knowled e gap for man municipalities on whw h regulations applic P to theni and what
their r sponsibilitu s were ‘I his was evident from dnacu sions with inspectors and the
in my tine s and riotu es of violation (NOVs) that resulted from their inspec lions EPA
decided that, since municipalitie hid received so little ittentiori in the past and is sup
ported . ridi e iy by taxpayer funds v e should offer substantial as ustanct to unpmc s the
ki 1 el of awareness dnel knowledge of regulations in the sector at the amc lime that our
expel tation for comph nit behavior is increasing We will continue to t irget and inspect
inun ipal fa Pities a par t of that e Ypr tation.
I he NELA I earn l x gari tim oncei ted outi eat h effort in 1 9ti / working cIo ely with the
st ite environment rl agencies of lice federal a a ricms and prof e ‘romP I r ide as oc ra
tion iii ordr ft Pc lii en compi hem isive flee tive outn re h ‘I lie out reac 1 effort foe used on
i e ’rics of work Pr ps in eac h state calk c i “Expecting Inspections,” but ‘rise) included I’P \
on site ‘ts nstanr e tin t si it’ Is in fit ics presentations and exhibits at trade P rows. I h se
offerings were thom otighh advertised well attended ace laimed by par tie ij ant ‘, md r
por tedly SUC C sfu1 in pi oducmng rmpr ivc d environ mental lx liavion aniong most partni
pants
PTOJ(’( t ( pdat
Ow 2000 assistance work in tins see tom ernrphasized niunncipai dep mn tmnent of public works
(DPWJ highway facility pi oject s in Maine and Conne etx uP having already completed ,rmni
lan assistanra iii Ma machu tts in l9ti8 I 9 9 I he main e ’onnphi’rnce issues addressed
included fluids am d inater’i ils imianagcnicnt, a well as an emphasis on floor drain connee
tions at the fat ilitie’, (ECE k, (,kani W iter Ac’ t, under ground in]ec tion control, etc ) We
also providt d assi tarn ( on pollution pre vcntaon tools and techniques including’ perforiri
ing oP an ulysi to extend tire lif of oil in velnc le’ arid ree’y ling and rcu’e of fluids
typic ally found at such facilities (antifnc eve (‘PC s/refrigerants, etc
After cmi Massadiusetts, ( onnecticut arid Maine workshops, we surveyed the partrci
pants The survey indie ated that, of those who responded to the survey, ahnost every
responderi t (oven 90%) inn mc’ used their awam ene m of environmental problems between
one third and one half took action on e omplianc e issi ics, over 25% implemented pollution
preve ntron recommend rtmonx arid about a thrill to a hail implemented better operational
practices.
Othie r assistarrc’e provrdt d to Dl Ws riot specifi to highway freilities, included: promoting
effmeie nit and re mie wahk. en ’ rgy at wastewaten treatment facilities, and developing and
conducting National Pollution Drs hargc Ehrntnauon System (NPDES) Ithase 2 stormwater
e)iitr’eachi
I
-------
1 t ti :L i ( ) t I v it
t I , I ( 1 1 I ( 1 t
) it it I J i i t 1 ti .
I ( ft o i I
I-
IJL I
I t t ii
t I ‘ V )1 t
( [ 1 If ( ) I V 1 ’ 1
( , I ($
A
l 1 e
I i L I i i
I t ‘ , & _ t i
t 1 ) I It
I I Ii ( 1
I i 1
( I
Th W V W C
(C I I I I
I ) C I i 1 1 C
wt 1 y ll J 1 1
LI i: 11
if i I 1 ( ‘
I I V
I iI ‘ I I C I
f I 1 t I
-------
Project Srueq j
Eta metal finishing aidustr in New I ngland onsnAs of ihout 1 3OO 1a ilitics who do song
Lyp of rnt t ii tim ,hirig. F u ilities i arige from small job shops to large captive shops. EPA
\Jcw F ngland has been lii geting Un s facilities for enlou ern€ nt for air R( HA, wak r m c i
EP( HA violations for many ve rrs Ih cause tin se Eac ilities use a var rely of toxu si ib
stance in their pm messes are c ithe r smn ill hops or metal fmn i liing is only a small part of
thLr operatirn, rnd they struggle to kmp up vith increasingly complex regulations tiny
tend to he sUbjeel to enfor errient Many facihtie have begun to realize that the only way
to c omnply with the iimu irous md eonipliated regulations they face is to go beyond .ornplr
irice and thr nigh uhstitutic n or toxic use u ciut tion rCac h a point. win ic they are no
lunge i regi m ated
fri order to Er to move nrietal frnishe N in the dimec hon of hyond omnipliance activities the
industry i m partnership with PP \ h m’ li ye loped the Strategic Goals Program. In the
spirit of the national (‘omnrion Sen e Imitative Lb goals of cleaner, c heaper, smarle r
en rrorimental prote non hav been qu mnitilied so bial progress in uhf mining them can he
nie msi in d ( oniparks volumit icily sign up in c t the goals of the pm 0gm mm which m i lud
a 300o redmn Lion iii wale m u e 2h°c it ductiou in C. miergy use, OO reduction in taimdge
,inpp ci r ii site (or di ) 0 5 iI 4O o due (tori iii an exm ,sions, 98% utihzation it nietaF in
oc ess and ompliancc whIm applicable n gula lion’
Pro p t Updau
Year 200() repm c sents lie flux d yeai in a live year strategy drrectcd it metal imnishc rs
m New England has been ‘md will conumume to supporm the tx ‘miegic Goal, r’rogranr ny
e ncour iging . ornpanu s to sign up rind gwi rig tin in a sr tanc e to help Un iii to reach the
goals ()utr e ,ieli efforts with the rue t ‘ml hni lnng ci or include U production of a vmdr o
cci ii Lire! RCRA ( ‘omnphance for M tal finishers in the Northeash ‘ Tin video me views corn
mnoxi vml irtxoris found in metal fnrushrnip shops intel etriphasizes tr tinning and recordkt epug
c, the kcy to go xl hazarde tx sub’ tan ‘ m ’ mnage ment progrun EPA New F ngl md h m
disti mbute ci 2 i() of the videos In e of e hange to the metal finistnng immelu’ ,trnr
Monthly mmtncle’ conic c rimnig comnpliamnee issues h we been published in the miewsie tiers f
v ii in is Erotic ew lt tIer melimdn g the Bostt n and Atth boro braneh s of the \mr in an
Elec U eiplaters inch Sun la e I’inrslic r, the Nt w F niglaxid Chapter of the National Associa
lion f Metal Finishers and ehhicr branc’he s around the region ‘these publications reich
over 301) metal fnnrsher e acir mont U In addition EPA cm sponsored won kshops on the
Fovx R lease Inventory (‘1 RI) reporting n equix ements fox Metal F’rnishem s Acid Recycling
‘mud Best Proc tie es for Metal Fnnu 1ung Pixie Operators
I he Strategic Goals Pmogramn Internship Prognain w’is expanded to include on site techni
cal assistance for selectee! projects at pam ticipalirig c omnpanie Fi e new companies swried
up arid projects ‘mt pm tic ip it lug companies included
U designing m rinse sy temn ,
J designiiw a database to tnaek VOCs
mea. uring fume suppre ssamits amid
J developing an Emivmronnne nitni! Mart igernerit System (EMS).
9
-------
“The S(rate(JIC (r a1:; fiii (u i ” 1 e (JH ’fl Vs 1! r iflfl n/forded us
o 1 p rr !n TPc c1lCh (7S our i’yi’’ n piit 1 mVflVq(’fl eT)t. jc em, ih
P1 1i I,S 1( !’(’Y1 t’ 1 1’ fl jt i’’rn p1 t cTir J t! r trY!! V he t’ t ‘ h
Pr’t,or ‘(!(‘C’)
Prr’sir!eri I
T” jerq1 iJ ’fqJ Fin chinq
Boston, IWA
Also, in partnership with New England metal finishing trade associations, we were in-
volved with 12 TRI nitrate compliance assistance workshops to educate metal finishers
about their TRI nitrate reporting requirements. Twelve metal finishers self-disclosed
their TRI nitrate violations using EPA’s Small Business and Audit Policies.
A survey we conducted after our workshops showed that our efforts have been very suc-
cessful. Most companies surveyed (80% or more) said that they would definitely or possi-
bly implement important process changes related to spray rinsing, hang time/withdrawal
rates, tilt and drain processes, and other rinse system optimizations. Almost 90% said
that they would change training and/or share information through internal meetings.
Future plans:
1) Internship Program
2) Strategic Goals Workgroup
3) Workshops
4) Supplier Chain Strategy
5) National Strategic Goals Program
6) RCRA Roundtable
Wood Finishing
Project Strategy:
New England has thousands of wood coaters that may use coatings with volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). The NEEAT team’s work with the
wood furniture finishing sector evolved over three years from a fairly traditional approach
to a more creative approach that ultimately succeeded in getting the attention of the small
and medium sized companies that dominate the sector in New England. Whereas a very
small minority of wood finishing operations are subject to the hazardous air pollutant
regulations that our initial outreach featured, thousands of smaller shops not subject to
the regulations stood to make environmental, efficiency and worker health gains through
pollution prevention measures to reduce HAP and VOC use.
Project Update:
We continued to distribute the EPA New England video “Making Pollution Prevention Work
for You: Opportunities for Wood Coaters.” The video covers pollution prevention techniques
(coatings, application equipment, etc.) to meet or exceed environmental requirements. An
additional 350 videos were distributed this year bringing the total to 850 distributed.
10
-------
The videos appear to have been very effective: over 80% of respondents said they found the
video useful. Even more indicated that they intend to refer to the video in the future or
pass it on to a colleague. Finally, they took action on what they learned: over 70% of
respondents indicated that they intended to adopt a pollution prevention practice or tech-
nology as a result of viewing the video.
In addition, every New England wood coater was mailed information on how to access
“Case Studies: Low-VOC/HAP Wood Furniture Coatings” produced by EPA’s Office of Air
Quality Planning and Standards. Included in the mailing was a mail back postcard to
request a hard copy of the case studies. The region has received over 65 requests for the
document this year.
Future Plans:
Alter three years in this sector, EPA is phasing out its work with wood finishers. In 2001,
we will continue to distribute our wood video and other resource materials as requested,
as well as respond to questions.
Auto Repair and Refinishing
Project Strategy:
New England has thousands of auto repair and refinishing facilities that face significant
challenges managing fluids and hazardous materials in an environmentally responsible
way. Such facilities typically deal with a variety of hazardous and nonhazardous materials
of concern, including virgin and spent cleaning solvents, lubricating oils, paints, thinners,
antifreeze, refrigerants/CFCs, batteries containing battery acid, and a host of other mate-
rials.
In previous years, the NEEATeam focused on the following assistance priorities for this
sector: new low VOC paint use requirements: the importance of proper floor drain connec-
tions: 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 often lack a 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, was a valuable tool to encourage behavior
changes in facilities, particularly when a number of the visits are concentrated in a spe-
chic geographic area (such as a watershed, municipality, etc.).
Project Update:
After three years of work in this sector, we scaled down our efforts in 2000. We conducted
14 on-site visits, held six workshops, and distributed material during all visits and events.
We also began work to research vehicle washing issues.
11
-------
Part of our dece,i )i 1 to c ile down this fort is ha ed n vidcn if su & ss. A urvey of
a ito i ep iii 4 0 S in lit it I 9J of re pondeiits v e hel wd b tin a a i t in c tiny
iet ci c ci \nd ri e help led to aaion b6 >o ot e poiicR irts said ih& y took s ir ie action o
comply wit i i til i hot s i’ a i suit of ti 1 assistance (mm LILt I felt they wet e help d by
it ). Moi c cli in ii ill of lie it o iderits will ot have iii ady tnt d Ofl( of the polluti inì
1 evention opti )n pi ‘Sr ntcd such a’ r ‘c ci u used II dO Li ii eie or V( r Ii iger ition
net ove iy or eliminating disposable pad’ F nially. the r sp rnlentts liked wh I they e
ceived more than halt a k ‘d fir additional written nisienals 0 i eonipliancc pollution
prtv& ntn n an I oil ci topic.
fluture [ lwrs
We will be e ploning t hr 1)0 ,ibiht of regulatory fi xihility I oi velin le wal hnyI (. ‘ratirn
(from NPDF a I cqutrenn r ts) md 11 p siblc we will sd c t mci iruplenier t 11Th new
option wi ich will liP&’ly uichide adopting best man igornent prac tim (laMPs),
Mercury Challenge for Hospitals
Prc ec I Strut vqy:
Widesprc ad exposure to inert ury 1 unong the mc ) 1 ei i mc envi onineiital hc tlth risi 5 in
N w I n dand \Iei ury cxpo u ire can It ad to ir r ev r’ ible rieui ological eltect s inch clmtì
learnmp di ibilitie and delayed rriotor skill c l i velopmenit. One rot meiny thei rnometc r car
coot aminatc up t 7 ) 000 gallons of water. Wi os New England ino i e thai i SO per cent of
the inland water’ hay’ tish too polluted with inn reury to & rt People are exposed it
mci eury pr iniarily I lii ouph iting fish that Iiav h n mi coritamiii at ed wher mci c u is
depo atecl to wirer hoches Once inercuiy entt r water, biologi 0 pioce’se can trarisfor in
it nito niethylmr rcury a highly toxic hum 01 mercury th it builds up in animal and human
tissue, Medic ml Ian ilit n a caii itiake a majot differ em e in hclpup to reduce mere ury in
the environment bee ause they ii n a number of soures of mci ( ur y uc h as tliei muonnenei s
and blood pressure r iilf ,
In rc spon to tins problem, El’ k New Lug and ‘stahhshed tlic Mer ury C halienge for
I lospit ml (Mci & ur ( hallc ngc) pm ’ogm 1111 in 1 n9 to halie ii e New lsngianu medic al ‘it iii
ties to cl ii iii itt m rcury antI ‘or nie ’n my eoiitairniig wa’ it by 200 . a drues pa 1k ipat
in in the pr grani s t their own reduction oai’ arid agree to make’ a good faith effort to
12
-------
tdcntify and implernc n pollution prevention mc awn s In order to he ‘ m ae reeogruzed s a
\ltrc my C bath npc I trtner cacti facility mu t conduct a baseline si rvcy develop niea
suxabk mc rcur to ikc devcloy an icti ni plan outhning its reduction shal lot mc icruiy and
the step. to achievc. thc goal at d tiack it , pro ‘rc s In 1999. the iegl xi rec gnieed 13
New 1 ngland hospitals who c-limnnt ‘c i more than 350 pc urids ol mercury ftc m flu ir waite
strc arn. Wt hive i cc s 41 over 10 q phc attons to l x 2000 i artners
&qjcv I pdalc
In 2000 muc ury reduction sssisLtntc xcurrcd in a variety 01 way’. Fec brutal is°i’tancc
vis pr wicic ci through prescnt drons t scv a woi k’hnps intl m c etings I’l’l ‘taff cc n
41 ic ted at ,ltt. visit’ arid/or issisteci fLit educ tti mii events at five hospi al ’
lo irnpiovc the ch’tnhutton of infonn Won communication tools were i bigji pin ity F PA
w’ bsite was enhanced
t o pr ivale spec inc.. mi t i in mon abc ut merc ury re duction. a chr ‘etny ol .t )i’ Meru. ry
Challenge fMrtnei s was den loped so nmeclic al ta o ilities c ould learn from e i d other ii
ma I h’t was c st bit h’d to unpi ,vc coinmunmi.atiuia lx’twec n C l arid mc dac • 1 fat mlltme
i:ight .cn email wuic. sent to a list of 11 0 pc.opk to keep t.lic m inlorr icd about men ury
rel’itc ii activilie in tin i gion ‘I he aiiail group has c s 1 ancicci to almo’ t 220 c oimtaets lo
J)ioiiiotc the pro ‘tr im outiceich ii itcimal. , wue so I to ill ‘)/ Nc w F 4 ngl iii I ho’:j Ital
rcgaiciln time Meicumy Cballengc m *i-mnm
I’utUu Plaits
(.‘nc u’r’ r’ t *ith our a,4jes mve ‘no rc ‘try r’dt.ction proarain sq Tsp Ei 1 gl nd [ ‘Pt [ lead
quartets and the tmneric’tn ho pit ii kssociation h wc devcloped a joint hospitals for a
I let lthy I n 4ioriment (11W) piojec t. Smcc tIn \ationai An aids program tuidcr tht H
project ill be rcady in 2001 El’\ New England plans to roll its uistumg Mercury (hallcnpc
pro ‘tam into tin natimal cit it flit iegion pints to promote thc nation ii pro i.un in tin
2000 Mer .ui y Challenge Partist rc 1)iret tory
Assistance Response
Prc grant Strateqy
I hc concept of ‘Assistanec Nc t ponsi” iroae in 199/ as a result of two i eaIL’atmorms 1) some
requests for assutanc ce tools might arise out sick of the tssistanee & Pollution Ftc yen Lion
Office a otimc m parL lsP Ncw I nglanci and 2) i cit sit e to lzitcgratt assist we c f bi ts with
othc i a.pec ts of iegmonal work to solve pnority environmental problems ihus wheit
appropri ik, a finite numbc r of agency resoune., is devott d to providing integrated solu
turns to specific environmental probk ins in Nev England
Ikcypwn lpclal.
i or OOO the majority of iruegraterl work occ uncd in c’cisung asmstancc sec tois ineluding
mum itt mpalmtic s (stcn rnwater), metal finishing (nmti des work), and c olleges/univem sibes In
addition. a dunking water as. istanc e iesponse project Is currently be trig undcrt iken u i
cooperati in with I PA New EngI mci’ Coanec tic’ut state unit and the Connecticut Depart
iiient of Public I tenth
13
-------
Future Plans:
More emphasis will continue to be placed on targeted use of assistance and integrated
efforts. Particular emphasis will be placed on drinking water, air and wetlands projects.
EPCRA/ Right-to-Know
Program Strategy:
The goal of our regional Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know (EPCRA) 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, and response, and to reduce the risks from
those chemicals. The variety of support and expertise that the team provides is described
on its website ( www. epa. gov/regionO 1/steward / emerplan / 1 .
Program Update:
Li Toxics Release Inventory (TPJ)/Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics (PBTs) 2000
Reporting: In 2000, the agency added PBTs to the reporting requirements under
TRI. The team sent materials to the affected TRJ sectors, contacted trade associa
lions, spoke at several meetings, and offered a dozen TRT/PBT compliance assis
tance workshops. We also co-sponsored two three-day “train the trainer” work
shops and offered seven additional workshops for current TRI reporters. Approxi
mately 500 facilities participated.
Li In support of regional sectors, state emergency management agencies and small
business trade associations, the EPCRA team conducted 11 workshops/meetings,
which were attended by over 280 entities. These compliance assistance work
shops focused on the basic requirements under EPCRA and the Pollution Preven
tion Act of 1990. As a result of these workshops, several small businesses volun
tarily disclosed past violations to EPA. These workshops also supported the efforts
of communities to organize regional Local Emergency Planning Committees
(LEPCs).
Li The EPCRA team spoke at 16 meetings and workshops on integrated contingency
planning (known as the One Plan), which combine several planning requirements
into a single integrated contingency plan.
In addition, the team provides support to state and local officials. One project was to work
with each of the six New England State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) to help
them with electronic reporting of hazardous chemical inventories. In 2000, the team
attended 24 SERC meetings, as well as 12 training sessions, and also provided on-site
technical and compliance assistance. As a result, EPA now has electronic access to over
20,000 chemical-specific reports.
As an example, the Community Right-to-Know environmental and educational project (first
developed in Chelsea, Massachusetts) was expanded to six other communities in Massa-
chusetts, Connecticut, and Maine. Recognized nationally, the “Chelsea Model,” involves
working with local emergency planning officials and a local high school to input and
14
-------
ensure the quality of emergency planning data concerning hazardous chemicals. The
students learn computer skills and are educated about reportable chemicals and potential
resources and risks in their community. The community benefits by receiving more
accurate information about chemical hazards. Through a grant from EPA, Salem State
College (an original partner in the Chelsea Model), created a website
( http: / / www. salem. mass. edu Icameo I ) for the Chelsea Model project.
Future Plans:
The EPCRA team will continue to partner with the six State Emergency Response Commis-
sions (SERCs) to fully implement EPCRA focusing on reducing risk in our public schools
through EPA’s Toxics Free School project. In partnership with the EPCRA team, states are
working towards electronic reporting and making their states’ EPCRA data available on
the internet. The EPCRA team will be aggressively addressing new “Persistent
Bloaccurnalative Toxics (PBTs)” toxic release inventory (TRI) reporters. The EPCRA compli-
ance assistance efforts will also include train-the--trainer sessions, TRI workshops, “How
To Comply with EPCRA For Small Businesses” trainings and various presentations at trade
and business conferences. The EPCRA team will continue to advocate and train all types
of entities about the ‘One Plan’, also known as the integratecl contingency plan.’ Finally,
the EPCRA team will continue to promote the utility and availability of EPCRA data for risk
reduction arid pollution prevention activities.
Small Business Assistance
Program Strategy:
EPA New England’s Small Business Program provides targeted assistance to small busi-
nesses in understanding their environmental responsibilities. Access to environmental
regulatory and assistance information is an essential component of this effort.
Project Update:
In response to requests from small businesses, the region developed the New England
First Stop Small Business Homepage, an easy to use one-stop source of environmental
information ( www.epa.gov/regionOl / steward/smallbuslness) . By using this site, small
business stakeholders can quickly access environmental information in many areas, in-
cluding pollution prevention, laws and regulations, compliance, finance, new technologies,
and support resources. The information is provided under easy-to-follow categories and
topics with links to various websites, including state environmental agencies, EPA New
England, and EPA Headquarters. A quote from one of the site’s users illustrates the utility
of the small business website.
1 1 t1 ui k if. s Juirbj i j to u r I t unk it’s a good-spirited
outreach to businesses. I thiflI the T J’/% S extVfl(Iin() itself hij tnjirUj to
( ‘OO p(’tO h With !)OSifleSSeS in term 01 titjing to rflakO’ compliance (‘(IStJ.
t)anici Ruben
!fl IVJa n age v
l%’ te( (I.J) of I ’1aSS(Leh1 uase(t’
! u)5I’)ru, T4oiscoicl i-.o’(fs
15
-------
Future Plans:
In 2001, the small business team will promote its website as an important assistance tool
in its small business outreach efforts. Outreach efforts will focus on building awareness
through direct mailing of website information to small businesses and small business
organizations; conducting surveys to obtain feedback on the site; updating the site on a
continuous basis to meet user needs; and improving access by building the number of
small business stakeholder websites which link to EPA’s website.
Marina Sector Initiative
Project Strategy:
More than 1,200 marinas in New England face significant environmental challenges. For
example, marinas often handle hazardous material related to boat maintenance (e.g.,
paints, heavy metals, solvents, degreasers, oils and fuels). Because of their close proxim-
ity to water, even small amounts of pollution can have immediate and serious environmen-
tal impacts. Clean marinas, due to the great increase in recreational boating and tourism
and the growth of shoreline development, are key to preserving our coastal resources.
Project Update:
During 2000, the region’s small business team conducted an analysis of the marina sector
to ascertain the most critical issues, and to target regional assistance. Efforts included
focus group meetings with industry stakeholders, including regional and state assistance
providers, marina trade association staff, and marina owners. Participants in this study
generally concluded that priority areas included: stormwater management, oil and fuel
handling, waste management, and the need for marina owners to clearly understand
their environmental responsibilities.
Future Plans:
For 2001 and beyond, we plan to partner with New England stakeholders on several projects
designed to improve marina sector regulatory compliance and pollution prevention. These
planned projects will include assistance tools such as a marina environmental checklist,
assistance workshops, and a regional marina website. Future activities include a baseline
and follow-up assessment to monitor the effectiveness of the program, on-site assistance,
and development of an environmental management system (EMS).
Small Business Policy Activities
Program Strategy:
The regional Small Business Ombudsman (SBO) provides a contact point for small busi-
nesses to request compliance assistance, resolve compliance issues, and obtain business/
technical information that can help them meet their regulatory obligations.
Program Update:
Network of Small Business Environmental Assistance Providers
The small business technical assistance programs and state small business ombudsmen
li-i each of the New England states met in the fall of 2000 to review their programs, discuss
16
-------
future technical and compliance assistance efforts and self-disclosures, and exchange
data and information. The participants also discussed how to track and measure compli-
ance assistance involving small businesses. In 2000, the SBO represented EPA New
England at national small business assistance meetings.
Small Business Policy
The Small Business Policy provides two important benefits to businesses of 100 employees
or less:
1) It allows small businesses to self-audit or receive on-site assistance and voluntarily
disclose and correct violations. Penalty elimination is available if certain conditions are
met.
2) It allows small businesses to receive compliance assistance with a level of protection
provided for violations identified, if certain conditions are met.
In 2000, the regional SBO worked with state agencies, trade and business associations,
and small businesses to educate them about the recent changes to EPA’s Small Business
Policy. The Small Business policy was marketed to small businesses at numerous asso-
ciation and trade organization meetings, workshops, and conferences. In addition, the
SBO made 12 presentations on EPA’s small business and audit policies at various New
England meetings. More information about this policy is available on EPA Headquarters
website ( http: / / www.es.epa.gov/oeca / smbusi.htmfl .
17
-------
I \ 1 1 1 F 0 1 1/ J(U
I
T T 1 1 ? J
I f t ( I I t J t
I t I t
I 3 )tl r 1
I t )
r C I i li ( ( it f ‘t
i I i i V ) )
i’ I
I ) I I (
ir t I
I ) 4 it } C
C I ) 71 ) i ( Ic
I J i IL I ( 1
1 1 1 ) € i I I )
t 11 ‘ I ) )
I C ) i I
1 ci t , J )
y I C w
I i i s p 1 ‘ I ti I
t I I
t V I 1 I F i )I it
I t I I
( I ( I i II
i C I , ‘ )
J( 7 1
1 1 1 C
I 1 1 3 1
w
-------
lnteI nally n the cliniah cl ldngr di C a w U ained a2 EPA niployr es on 1 bal lunate
charigc arid thty tin n t night about global C liniih eharipe in o er 100 classrooms in New
Enr land. ( urneula werc d veloped for i nIe K 2 5 S and 9 12 1 xt€i nally we solicited
par tl( ipation in LP k S oluntary energy fin 1en e mud pollution pre critic ii progi dfliS to
dure greenhousi aS (11115 ion ‘I he, t 1)1 og. mis inc lude the Citn s fox Climate F mote
ta n progr mm arid EnergySlar Buildings Pamtn i ship pm i r mins Lin r yStar ‘,rmiall Busuics
progi am and th C lirnateWise pi ogramn I h se pi ogramns an desi ned to m educe lreen
house ga r niissmis and eon noon ml regtilat d n pollut ml errussior amid SdVt [ I’ll tici
pants morn y whuile n din in energy ii e tin ugh mci a n d hhciency. 1 h benefits ol
time e p!ogI uri includr
J energy c if men ncy fsauis.
J pollutori pr ‘vention
Li i eductmon in gx cenhous is en u snn (CO ) Jlüflfi with (Onveritiomi 1 i ul t ed
ollutant’ (e g. 502 NO partn ulalt s nmer my ozone prec ursor 1;
J to. I avmnps to busun s’n and taxpay IS
J din ation of partieij mauls (and u speelive constil u iii its) ox tilt eon ii 01w ‘
l x twe cii envn onrnc r I il/i t Slit In mlth protection and nergy efficirn v lose, an I
J tIn proi uotion and u e of hmr hly Ofu a nt C iittin m c cl ( elift mc ney teeluio1o nes
En 2000 four \iass;n hu’ ci chic (Canila idm e I yen Mt clicirci and ewtomi) jonied doria toim
Vennont iii the Cities fin Clim itt Proteci ion piogi am
As p mrt of our infoi niation md isustani a for susOmnable practa C S dir sushiii mUir pra
0cc’ team funds the Rcs am ch Lihr uy ibm R(’RA (tin Rest mu h Library) In 2000 the
Re ‘carc ii Ohm icy respoxicled to oi i -1 000 requests nationally sod mnterriationalli br mbor
ni ition thont pollution pie venuon wast niiimrrmz muon, )ohd waste tCIU( atiori innov iti C
Icc hnologmc al dr velopmc nt , C ase st uh m id solid wast mnariarienic mit pm gym arns. ix pm o
vide rechinmeal an I regul’mto iy infom inatbori on all aspects of wash rndn igernent a veil as
iniom nation on Lu’ iriess Ic gal public lie ml iii mud xc inanutaetur 11i iss its, to govem runc nt
business, tin iicn pm out Sti 1)1 the duc atiomi r cnn nunm1 amid the publn I tie Researc hi
I ihr mxy dLC) in 1 pr d march orgarmi/auons with porenu il non LPA fundxmii . oppom ii unties and
had ninny sucet. sscs this year In 2000, this grants, loan m and foundations database was
expanded to ha ridk C aIls fro ni all oven the nation and a tot ml of ipht iii mtc lies wine inadc
Ecu a total of 9b5,000 in funding Praru br the sc iva e ’ . pu ovidc ci by time he s aich I ibxaxy
ii ichmdc the following quote
i it . . in
if r, mj .c’l c o .
19
-------
Sustainable Practices
B yori I ii si airrable x .v ron na nital pr r fot nianc as dt Sr nbed ahOV( we at r al ’a workin
on su:tamable p1 icta r ai 10 1ookiri to Ii irige the way we thini ihout md do husu R s
In 19 fO w l x g tin pi ogn ann r t11cd “I read Lightly in on u on n R 1ionaI Of tu e I p ogi no
h i n 0 t i du aur ir nie il ri faatpr 1 it throuf Ii en r arid is tu ruu uci ion
[ lie recline uons are nit asure 0 in icr ii s of carbon dioxid pen pers iii. l xi our hi it. ycan su
cc hit ye d a 70 reduction in pe r person arhon dioxalc, n stan t toy aids our ultimate goal of
20 o i ecluction by Fan C l i I) my 2002 As part of this effort we cot tunued to work with tine
hnuld ng Inc ilities mangero to i n F c niergy impi ovement re elm e papex u e arid an e x
plot ing how to 1 ‘a e hvb i a! vehi icr for our thec L
or our or w lab n itory in ( h Imsiord, Ma a husc t is we oupic b d a i equest Ii i plo o’ al
m d hav secured en o s ci iii the form of wind power from Vex mont md Ni w York
I hlL will pi ovid e km tricit to out in ‘w labor i t ry buihiui wit bout addini )ubstdntn I
gre rrihous gases ro Ui cx ‘ironniemit. We also ror inued ro provide uithrmation on how to
make the new lab a e am buildnig. F U r unify we continue to mu I with st k ‘holder
impardir g huh liii I’ je I in ‘Jew [ snglaiicl inn lindinc the deselopt rs of the Ru! ox Sin
hum who met with n in Jan nary 2000 with i list of gi en building change they in ali
basod on our disc ussiorn. in 1999
20
-------
P’hli rcPkuis
in 2001 wc will continue our work in the following arias
I ’ cxxi residuals Wc ill Ix sponsor lug a unmut mc fling on food residuals In Mat sachu -
sc Us to dc tc.rnunc how to expand capacity for c oinpostlng and create tin nailed mha
,tiucture 101 collection of food wa I.e.
Llcc.tror ii. We will continue to work witn l’uits (mveisity on computer engineering
thcrmoplastics recycling stud woik oi l a nitior ii i0jd(L chaired by the Northeast Rec’y
cl ing Coin il to aflal3/c.. computer c olic c tion programs mci host two workshops in the
No thc at
ticad 1 ip,lnLy program at LIA offices Our eliot s to reduce our own environmental ‘foot
print will c ontinue and we will a s14 othc rs in finding susta i n ible practuc t s tin ough
gieui building dtsugn ann operational tccnmques In carly 2001 wt. will cli termine our
strite&les on how to best work in the areas of c Ilmale ehangc and cnergy
21
-------
11w A&P’ off te 15 )lh ot lie region ii t t la x rat tic r ae1n ing cnvii onim ut ii x ci
1cm e thi ou li limo /atlon Ow ti ue ic’ woik to mnor . cfticinitly and cl ii i tively mccl ow
regul itory fO i1 aiiii takt LES b yi rid the existing i e ula ioiis 10 supcrior ciivir nrncnh I
peiforin nit t C) tn the pa t f ii e ears, we havr WOi kt ci to test and devcl )p innovative t ols
that can lx used alor 01 in t omhination with other tools I ad ire rt pmt nal cnvii onimen
tal prioiitit
Environmental Management Systems
[ oqr Ira SinaI eqip
Lnvi i none ritai M mnag nient Systeirms (lCM s) an critical to man of ow a sntanc eitoi Es
hi es-cm c in PMS enabit an or amn,atmon (pi iV( te or pubh) to idt ntify and sy’1 anal’
cally in nogc its en ii onnicritai n ponsihili tic I M include opt xat ii g politic md
pm o t dii re’ ‘am rh as tr a’ run am I pit yen tive ma n t n irmc progr ains and iudits of hot ii
cmii oiimcr Iii on pimant e mci tl manmap mm it system it u i1. l a i1tmatiom arid torrn lit ni
is a hey feat cut of qi ality LMSs As Cut p 0t ‘of i h for I MS to hi Ii or pa nmzatmns miami itctifl
t imnpharm e and achie e better overall en ii orinmerital pci fornm’umc becomimes vmde nt, scv
c ral New l’npla mid St itt. tgcncie have or or. eons ticrimic Ltw or ci policie to rcw t ci
‘ornpamn ‘s that adopt EM s
I ‘P Nt w Engi md ha” i iken a pi 0gm essiv approa ii to I ‘MSs Om in reet lit WOi I’ is tJividt ci
in to tlir e area : 1) cit vc loping and implement inmg tin it giommal Star Ii ack pr ograni 2) prO
vidui ip i c oiircc s P di- i-lop I PA’. nat mc nal hem for mnance Ii ack pm opr in m and impk rnentmnp
m l at a r 13!iOi ml levi I uid 3) encotmm mgnig tin u e of 1’ M -s by time regulated t ommunwutj i -
Nt w hnglantl by con Imactmn n eai h to tlcmnonstrah th mm i aloe and olk ring 1 MS edut a
tm ri rod P immung.
Prcijc(t I pdaI
StarTrack
In 1996 EPA New England lanmncht ci the nolunta iy Star Jr ick Program to addi ess mad
ujiiatt t ite and fede mal resoum i s Ii mnspi cA all regulated I icilmtics is well an dgnificant
erivironme ntal pm obiemn (such -is global climate change imp t te) which are riot addressed
by urn nt envii onmnental laws and regul ’itmorms
Betw en I )96 and 2000 16 orLaruzations u Nt w England parti npatcd in the Stai9 rat 1<
p1 ograin mm hid inf two k deral fit ilmtie, I hcsc org iii mzatioris tlcrnonstrated CI e elf ctivc-
ncs. of nvironnmci mtal rnan ’igtrne mit sy ncms (F MS ), including t ornpham e audits, to melt-mi
tif poit iitmal weaknc sse - in a facility’s ertynonnit ntil per Iorinan e By mmplcnn iitmnp
omit t tm actions md a r )nfinuous mmprom cmi nt process then t fac mhtit s helped to en
sure sustamnahk conipim nit e and to at lmmeve beyond cornpliancc pemforrmianct As part of
the annual Err lronrncntai P rtormancc Rt ports that Stahl rack fat ilitie. prep in—ti, fat’ilm
tics r c poited on envmnomunt rut -ml indit ator . ‘ucli as trn r am ci watt r usc, 11 at would riot
typically ht- tracked in t nnpliance tiata. Ph se rcpoi Is c iii be found on our wi b’ ite
(btt iLLwww . .i-p&go LJja - ,gion tovariiIstnickJe.p W inE)
22
-------
j l , 1 1 t
c l i 1 N
w I C I , 1 ]
V I
1 ‘ I % c
U I ! 3 1 1
I t ‘ I I ) ‘‘C t
( ‘ d N
( J \w 1 r V
C ) ) I V
I
-------
24
-------
EMS Research and Iralning Projects
CPA Mec I n ‘L’inct h s’ - usc lx en a leadet in pcntonn. I M unpk’mentation projects m.d
in conducting rest sn.h on the rift ets of F M impkrmt ntatlon on compli i x c and beyond
compliant c perlom inanc’e EPA New EnpLtncl hn nit en’wcly studiccL the nap icts 01 unpk.
mncntmg IcM&- and is exploiing ? MSs Jr several ic’camch pioje :ts. Pb se projec t’ an
uthimed below
I [ PA Ntw jfng} rid/I nmte4 ‘1 eeJi oIojijr’ (orporati nil’ MS lmpk.rnent4tion Stpd
An examnpk of our 5th cc , with demom ft dii g tlu valix ol I MS’ I illustrated by a eon
sent lecite Lieiwcen El t mci I nited P. c hriologmts t oiporation (FTC) I IC was ieq..mid
to dc’vc Ioj an LMS for its facilities nut to ondut t thin ! p irty tucht , t drtcrinmt cumpli
an c if tem 1’ Vn iirq lement iti’ it flu stu ly eonduc (ccl by F PA New I ngL nd (I PA) trid
United fec hnologa-s (An p ra tion (I ftj cvah i t- d the dice t of imple mnenting an F,W, at
l( laduitw th u ugh a c )nip4m’bon 4 tIme y irs 1 1)0 mcI 199? in .ludini.
• ( oinphutc. v ith cnvuoninc’n al .iv arid regal i ii )fl
• P 1w moot t. ci .t (pnnaaiy reason) of noncoinpb irtcc
• Pollution pit veutmon pr cetic es
I hc ,tud found that co mnp tanc c it Ui U IC f.ic ibtit s had mmprovc d a the (nut of thc po
1 M4 iudmts i’ cc nmpaicd to ihi a adit , conductc lix for Is misc!. n mntlepeiidcnt a icht of
th r lac ilitiu. h und (hit thue crc ‘Igmuac snily Ic wc i arc i of non conipli tncc itith
tfl”iTuflL’ t1al it ‘ il’ L us Its di the A *Cat talc c th I ’ l5s ne ie,Uti4’ c i ‘Lilt iT’IC
rcpoit i avid ibl. at (http./Jy.wp.’cepg &o’ /rewwiJJsL*wardis1ric1t/ ni,iztm*)
2 IJY.lass Lowell LMS Sejvmc e I’rcgymjm.
I I A Slew F ngl’uid tundcd it e University of Mu ichus .t - -Lowell (1 Mass I owefl) F rvirou
nu ntal ‘ ‘1 ma ,ensc nt Syst tin (LMS) Sn ic c Program to a.sud put be agenc i i ‘, mncltidlnp
munic.spabtlc S and publicly owned in’ tnutiono nicli i c ollcg t’ and tuil tisitie ho’pi
tals utilitie . ii cl f ran pork ban sy ac i in d. ye lopmn an EMS within their ow tnL’ dioma
3 New Eng l and Staic F MS fjIqjs
New Ilampst tic. Veminunt Ma sacnusctt’ Rhode Islaiict and die Naima çanc tt Biy Cons
mission ira c’c)ncluc ting pilot projects uppoitc.d by n stional tad i i gional EP wants to help
snnll mc i mc daun Iced fac ibtles in miplc mentmn , EMS’ , I he New H smpshmi e and W i
mont pilots axe Part of t nation ul pmojei t to a’ sist me pilatcd cidities m implernentin EMSs
and to contribute data fl a ii itmonal ic-starch pmojc’ct to aid in eviluatus P MS. (we Na
(monal LMS Research Databa e below). ‘1 he Massachusetts Depu trne.r t of Lnvu onment il
Piotec tion (MADE?) is implenu ntuig an EM 3 “Peer %ssmstnnc e progr m i painrig companies
who have established in I 4 MS with eornpanie itho waist to mmplemc at them and Identily
wig tacility leading lndicatoi s of environment ml perloim’mnce to fäeilit ste the implenien
tatmon proc e s
23
-------
4. Municipali EMS pilot :
Over the past two years, this pilot, funded by EPA Headquarters’ Office of Water, has been
assisting nine local government entities, primarily municipalities, in implementing effec-
tive EMSs. New England participants include Lowell (Massachusetts), Londonderry (New
Hampshire), and a Massachusetts Department of Corrections facility. Based on the suc-
cess of the initial pilot, EPA expanded the program to 14 participants in 2000. New En-
gland participants in this second initiative include: Massachusetts DEP Wall Experiment
Station, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and the New Hampshire Department of
Transportation Traffic Bureau in Concord, New Hampshire.
5. National EMS Research Database :
The University of North Carolina at Chapel 1-lill (UNC) and the Environmental Law Institute
(ELI), supported by EPA’s Office of Water, are compiling data in the National Database on
Environmental Management Systems (NDEMS) to determine how the environmental and
economic performance of different corporate, military, and municipal facilities is affected
by the implementation of EMSs. The information will be available to researchers. Begin-
ning with the first report, which was released in March 1999, these reports are available
on the website at ( w v.eli.org) .
6. EMS Seminars :
EPA New England also sponsors seminars on a variety of EMS topics to increase the visibil-
ity of EMS implementation and the benefits of EMSs, for both the regulated community and
regulators. Previous seminars in this series have included industry perspectives on EMS
implementation, challenges in EMS implementation, and EMSs in the college and univer-
sity sector. EPA New England is also active in providing EMS outreach and education to
industry groups, trade associations, and individual regulated facilities.
Future Plans:
EPA New England will continue with the implementation projects described above. In
addition, we expect to hold three to four EMS seminars in 2001. Regional participation in
Achievement Track is expected to rise. The National Environmental Stewardship Track
will be launched in the summer of 2001.
Innovative Technology:
The Center for Environmental Industry and Technology
Program Strategy:
Recognizing that New England has a rich supply of innovative ideas and technologies that
would benefit both the environment and the economy, EPA New England established the
Center for Environmental Industry and Technology (the Center) in 1994. 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 environ-
mental technologies to solve environmental problems in New England.
26
-------
Program Update:
During 2000, the Center continued its efforts to help bring new technologies to the mar-
ketplace and to address the concerns of the envirotech industry. Through its hotline, the
Center responded to over 700 calls last year. The Center also hosted three “Golden
Opportunities” workshops. Two of those workshops focused on research and development
opportunities for environmental technology developers through EPA’s Small Business Inno-
vative Research (SBIR) Program and EPA’s Cooperative Research and Development Agree-
ment (CRADA) program. The third workshop was held at the annual New England EnviroExpo
and featured sessions on future environmental technology needs for air, water and waste.
Bringing Innovative Technologies to Address Environmental Problems
Over the past three years, the Center has organized 15 technology trade shows on innova
tive technologies addressing non-point source pollution, a significant environmental prob-
lem in New England. In 2000, the two non-point source pollution technology trade shows
k)cused on erosion and sediment control technologies. These trade shows attracted more
than 400 state and local officials, consultants and engineers. A Products and Services
Guide was (levelOped for each show to assist participants in evaluating available technol
ogy 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 sys-
tems firsthand and discuss specific site problems. The Center also assisted with the
organization of the ETV technology trade show at the National Environmental Monitoring
Technology Conference held in Boston this year; over 650 people attended the conference
and trade show.
These trade shows have been well received. A survey we conducted in late 1999 indicated
that 83% of responding participants felt they were better educated about innovative envi-
ronmental technologies as a result of attending some of our events, and 72% of responding
vendors said they had increased inquiries about their goods as a result of our trade shows.
or e to n-t -ij, i n tI 1r oo ’utiv Storm voteu lrrb
fl )l Ji/ It (I( t h( 1’ l q , (‘ ( tft(J ( Ii t O0t’ tmidTtiq 7 )lU(fot tli 10 fltf 0
new ti’r’ii fl()I0(jie< (111(1 O C I i ii fl(J” rIti)rm a Ltnri. lie CEll h as m (z(ie
ii pocsihi f n ‘ Tfl (11 I o P° fl tO i (I V 0 iltae)i rO JiOna I i tfl P0
,e(tch tiU) tI e O /( ’S (10 r1 t’fl r , 0/ 1in’,( 0 (hi’ pzihlit’ sector ii’hn (1 1i (- aq ’r
to 101ff ( ‘0. ’ f t’tt(’ct TtYI ‘ ol 0 tU)fl ’, for toi 1JlU f I (i (p10! I ti I inp;our’ment -
Ti )Vlulieri
Vu ’ l’rest(ll ’nt
Bl%’lI’, Inc.
t 5 Jl [ 4I i T(
27
-------
In May 2000, the Center issued its first monthly electronic newsletter, EnvirotechNews, for
environmental technology developers. The objectives of EnvirotechNews are to disseminate
time-critical information to our stakeholders, such as meetings and funding opportunities,
and to facilitate a connection between potential technology users (including facilities that
have been subject to recent enforcement actions) and innovative technology developers.
EnvirotechNews contains sections on Government Funding Opportunities, Technology Op-
portunities, Future Needs, Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Opportunities, and
Upcoming Events. Each issue highlights an environmental problem for which EPA seeks a
solution. Occasionally, special editions are issued due to time sensitive enforcement an-
nouncements. Currently, over 750 U.S. environmental technology innovators are sub-
scribed to EnvirotechNews, having started in May with only 300 subscribers. Between
October and December 2000, the Center announced five enforcement actions to facilitate
connections between companies with environmental violations and potential technology
developers.
Also in 2000, the Center continued to expand its Innovative Technology Inventory
( http:// w.epa.gov/region1/steward/ceit/invent,html) . The inventory is a website data-
base of commercially-available innovative environmental technologies which currently in-
cludes more than 80 technologies from 61 companies. There were more than 2,000 page
requests for the Inventory and almost 9,000 hits on the Center’s web site in 2000. 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. TECHNOVATION is mailed quarterly to more than 3,000 people who need
access to timely information about emerging, innovative environmental technologies.
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, to promote the regula-
tory acceptance of innovative environmental technologies for hazardous waste. By estab-
lishing a collaborative regional review process, the approach has proven successful for
regional regulatory acceptance of on-site wastewater treatment and disposal technologies,
site characterization and monitoring technologies for small hazardous waste sites, and
pollution prevention technologies. In 2000, the Center facilitated an agreement among the
six states to initiate a project to review drinking water technologies for small systems.
Future Plans:
For 2001, the Center will continue to provide a myriad of services to New England’s environ-
mental technology industry to support technology development, commercialization and ac-
ceptance. These services include the Center’s hotline, web site, monthly listserve (Envirotech
News), quarterly technical bulletin (TECHNOVATION), and its Innovative Technology Inven-
tory. The Center will also continue to promote a variety of federal programs including the
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Cooperative Research and Development Agree-
ments (CRADA), and the Environmental Technology Verification program (ETV). The Cen-
ter will continue working with the six New England states and several interstate organiza-
tions to facilitate greater acceptance of new technologies throughout New England with a
focus on drinking water technologies for small systems.
28
-------
Regulatory Innovations - Project XL
Program Strategy:
EPA’s regulatory reinvention effort, known as “Project XL” (eXcellence in Leadership), was
developed and supported by EPA to provide a means of conducting limited and controlled
tests to explore alternative regulatory strategies. At the most basic level, Project XL
provides regulatory flexibility to project sponsors (company, state, tribe or municipality) in
return for a commitment that the project will offer “superior environmental benefit,” bet-
ter than what could have been obtained by compliance with the existing regulations or
policies. Since 1995, 50 projects have been negotiated nationwide; eight of them have
originated in New England.
Now that the model for regulatory flexibility has been tested and developed, EPA New
England hopes to utilize the tool of regulatory flexibility, along with other tools where
appropriate, to support priority environmental problems throughout the region. We are
currently exploring such an integrated model with our Colleges and Universities Initiative
which uses a combination of enforcement, compliance assistance and the New England
Labs XL Project (which explores the use of a combination of environmental management
systems and limited RCRA flexibility) to increase environmental performance of New
England’s colleges and universities.
Program Update:
EPA. New England signed five projects in 2000 which include:
1. International Paper Predictive Emissions Monitoring Project - signed April 20, 2000.
International Paper (IP) in Jay, Maine is developing, testing and implementing a
computer model to estimate pollutant emissions on a continuous basis. This in—
cludes particulates, which prior to this project were measured only once annually.
If successful, this computer model will provide the public with constant, up-to-date
emissions information and allow lP to maximize the efficiency of its operations and
thereby increase environmental performance.
2. International Paper Effluent Improvements Project - signed July 31, 2000
International Paper (IP) will replace a set of Best Management Practices (BMP5)
from EPA’s Pulp and Paper Cluster Rules with enforceable, quantitative NPDES (Na-
tional Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permit limits for key environmental
parameters. The company agreed to redirect 100% of the funds earmarked for
compliance with the BMPs ($780,000) to provide funding for a series of effluent
improvement projects specifically tailored to its facility. Under the XL project, IP
will examine each of the project opportunities and implement those projects found
to be most environmentally beneficial and cost-effective. IP is confident enough of
the project’s ability to improve effluent quality that it has agreed to add COD (a new
parameter) to its NPDES permit, and to tighten its existing limit for color.
29
-------
3. IBM Vermont - signed July 31, 2000
IBM Essex Junction, Vermont is a semiconductor facility near Burlington, Vermont.
The facility recently introduced an innovative copper metallization step into the
semiconductor chip manufacturing process. This project allowed an exemption from
the F006 listing for sludge generated by the copper plating process rinse water.
Previously, the copper plating rinse waters were collected and drummed, but in
April 1998, the volume of rinse water generated from the process made it an opera-
tional necessity to mix the copper plating process rinse waters with the general
waste stream. As a result, all the wastewater treatment sludge (3 tons per day)
was classified as a F006 hazardous waste even though there was a negligible change
in any pollutant concentrations in the sludge (and copper was not a contaminant of
concern for the F006 listing). IBM ’s new process is 30-40% more energy efficient
than the process it replaces, produces chips that are 25% more efficient and signifi-
cantly reduces the use and emission of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs - green-
house gasses), used as a chamber cleaning agent in the old process. IBM has also
committed to additional greenhouse gas reductions as part of this project.
4. Narragansett Bay Commission - signed September 25, 2000
NBC is a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) which collects and regulates
wastewater discharges from approximately 360,00 people and 8,000 businesses in
the greater Providence, RI area. NBC requested regulatory flexibility with state and
federal requirements to allow it to investigate and demonstrate improved environ-
mental procedures and practices. NBC will reduce self-monitoring requirements
and inspections for historically high-performing industrial users, so staff can refo-
cus efforts on problem industrial users. NBC will also allow top facilities to stop
monitoring for chemicals not used in the industrial process. In addition to improv-
ing the quality of wastewater discharges, NBC will strive for less generation of
hazardous waste and increased pollution prevention at participating companies.
5. Lead Safe Boston - signed October 2, 2000
Lead Safe Boston, an agency of the City of Boston, requested an EPA policy change
which would increase the number of homes for which it could provide lead
remediation, greatly reducing the risk of lead poisoning for children living in those
homes. Previously, all architectural debris from lead remediation projects was
regulated as hazardous waste, making the disposal of that material quite costly,
and limiting the number of homes it would be able to remediate. EPA reviewed the
facts and agreed to issue a policy memo which allows carefully managed lead
remediation projects to dispose of lead contaminated architectural debris from resi-
dential units as non-hazardous waste, much in the same way that ordinary house-
hold waste is currently disposed. Although it began with Boston, this policy will
apply to lead remediation projects across the country.
Future P [ ans:
One of the most important contributions of Project XL is that it established a model to
provide flexibility to test new regulatory approaches to environmental problems. In the
future, this tool will be used as a means of solving priority environmental problems. Thus,
EPA New England will consider and promote projects from entities or the states that lead
to improved environmental outcomes in priority areas.
30
-------
Assistam:c &: Pollution Prevention Office
Progra rn Contacts
(1 o Man agers
Tom D’Avanzo, 617-918-1801, davanzo.thomas@epa.gov
Gregory Roscoe, 617-918-1741, roscoe.gregory@epa.gov
Sector Based Assistance
Sehou1 (K 12 and ‘oeational)
web address: http: / /www. epa. gov/region 1/steward /neeat/voc . htm
Cindy Brown, 617-918-1743, brown.clndy1@epa.gov
Lee Fiske, 617-918-1847, fiske.lee@epa.gov
Joan Jouzaitis, 617-918-1846, jouzaitls.joan@epa.gov
(ollge/IJriiversity Initiative
web address: http: / /www.epa. gov/region 1/steward/univ/index. html
Peggy Bagnoli, 617-918-1828, bagno1i.peggy@epa.gov
Josh Secunda, 617-918-1736, secunda.josh@epa.gov
1 I 1 ) jtj(S t)PV Li 2,\ av 1 ai!iti s
web address: http: / /www. epa. gov/region 1/steward /neeat/munis 1. html
Jack Healey, 617-918-1844, heaIey.jack@epa.gov
Chris Jendras, 617-918-1845, jendras.chris@epa.gov
Abby Swaine, 617-918-1841, swaine.abby@epa.gov
Metal Finishing
web address: http: / /www. epa. gov/ region 1 / steward /neeat/metals 1. html
Linda Darveau, 617-918-1718, darveau.linda@epa.gov
WOo(l Finishing
web address: http: / /www. epa. gov/region 1/steward /neeat/metals 1. html
Abby Swaine, 617-918-1841, swaine.abby@epa.gov
Auto Repair and Refinishing
web address: http: //www.epa.gov/region 1 /steward/neeat/auto 1 .html
Mary Dever, 617-918-1717, dever.mary@epa.gov
31
-------
1 hr , I
web address: http: I /www epa gov/region 1 /steward/neeat/niercury/!ndex htrn1
Janet Bowen , 6 1 7 -9 18- 1 795, bowenJanet@epa .gov
‘ c ta I f It I , g fl”
Anne Leiby, 6 1 7 9 18 1076 , 1eiby anne@epa gov
P R Ri ; t’
web address: http: I /www. ep a . gov/ region 1 1 steward /emerplan/ index ht ml
Dwight Peavey, 6 1 7 -9 1 & 1829, peavey .dwight@epa gov
hn ‘ 1 1 ‘ I s . i
web address:http: //wsvw epa gov/region 1 /steward/srna1thusiness/index ht m l
Larry Wells, 6 1 7 -9 18 - 1 836, wellsJarry@epa gov
q P€rt ni ICE fl f I 1 €.
web address : http : I /www. epa gov/ region 1 /conipliance /solid /index. htm l
http: I /www epa gov/region 1 /steward/cchange/index. htm l
Cynthia Greene, 6 17 9 18 - 18 13, greeneScynthia@epa .gov
v1 I I i1 Mati 1 I rt I
web address: http: I /ww epa gov/reglon 1 /steward/straek/manage html
Martha Curran, 6 1 7 9 1 8- 1802, curran martha@epa4ov
I i I i F V 1
web address: http: I /www epa gov/region 1 /steward/eeit/
Maggie Theroux, 6 1 7-9 18- 16 13, therouicmaggie@epa.gov
I; : 1 i ) ov I )
web address : http: I /www. e pa . gov/region 1 /steward /projxl/lndex html
George Frantz, 6 17 -9 18- 1883, frantz.george@epa.gov
Anne Lelby, 6 17 -9 18 - 1076, leiby .anne@epa .gov
32
------- |