United States Environmental Agency Protection Office of the Administrator [Mail Code 1802] EPA-100-F-00-042 September 2000 (http://www.epa.gov) &EPA WHAT IS PROJECT XL? ** Protect ' SUMMARY OF THEPROJECT SUPERIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE FLEXIBILITY Project XL: NASA White Sands Test Facility Web , c ()Nspl Based Electronic Reporting ^vXroN Project XL, which stands for "excellence and Leadership," is a national initiative that tests innovative ways of achieving better and more cost-effective public health and environmental protection. The information and lessons learned from Project XL are being used to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in redesigning its current regulatory and policy- setting approaches. Project XL encourages testing of cleaner, cheaper, and smarter ways to attain environmental results superior to those achieved under current regulations and policies, in conjunction with greater accountability to stakeholders. It is vital that each project tests new ideas with the potential for wide application and broad environmental benefits. As of September 2000, over thirty pilot experiments are being implemented and several additional projects are in various stages of development. The National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA) White Sands Test Facility (WSTF), near Las Cruces, New Mexico, operates as a field test installation for the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The facility also provides test service and support for federal and foreign government agencies, and private industry. In this XL project, NASA WSTF proposes to implement an internet-based information management and compliance reporting system. The web-based system will electronically provide regulatory reports and permit information to the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) in lieu of paper reports to satisfy existing EPA and NMED regulatory requirements. In addition to regulatory information, NASA's web- based system will include a public access section that will provide the general public with access to historical site information, groundwater database archives, Geographic Information System (CIS) reports, ISO certification information, recycling data, waste minimization reports, NEPA information, community-right-to-know issues, and other associated compliance information. This XL project, EPA's 39th, was signed on September 22, 2000. Implementation of this project will provide EPA, NMED, and the public with improved access to higher quality regulatory information, scientific data, and analytical tools The web-based information system will also facilitate a more thorough analysis of NASA WSTF's environmental data and reports by NMED and the general public. To implement this project, NASA WSTF requests regulatory flexibility from existing EPA and NMED regulations that require a written signature or paper submission of the regulatory reports and permit information affected under this project. As part of this project, EPA will draft a site-specific rule to facilitate the electronic transmission of permit information and compliance reports. ------- STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT APPROACHES TO BE TESTED NASA WSTF has developed a formal stakeholder outreach process that includes holding public meetings and comment periods at key points throughout the project. This project will test the use of a centralized, multi-media, inter-net-based regulatory reporting and information system. CONTACTS FOR ELECTRONIC INFORMATION Regional Contact: EPA/XL HQ: Project Sponsor: Adele Cardenas John DuPree David Amidei 214-665-7210 202-260-4468 505-524-5024 More information about Project XL is available on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/ProjectXL, or via Project XL's Information Line at 202-260-5754. ------- |