Summary of ISO 14001 State Activity
Federal and state environmental regulators are interested in exploring the utility of environmental management systems (EMS) - especially those based substantially on ISO 14001 - in public policy innovation. As such, several states, some with funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), have begun investigation in the effect of EMSs on environmental performance, pollution prevention activities, the costs and benefits of environmental activities, and other indicators.
The summary information is meant to provide an overview of state activity relating to EMS. This information sheet is not meant to provide analysis of individual state activities or a comparison among states. Information presented in this document was obtained through contact with state agency personnel. For additional information about specific state activity, please call the relevant state contact directly.
This document was first prepared for the first national Multi-State Working Group (MSWG)/EPA Pilot Project Implementation Workshop on ISO 14001, May 14-15, 1998. The second report, November 1998, reflects updated information as well as information on states not previously listed.
The second MSWG workshop on Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) will be in Wisconsin in mid-1999 to be sponsored by the State of Wisconsin and the U.S. EPA Office of Reinvention. MSWG is a voluntary group of participants from state, federal, nongovernmental, business, and higher education organizations interested in the effectiveness of EMSs.
For additional information or if you would like to be kept informed by e-mail about MSWG activities, contact Kirsten Oldenburg at (202) 546-8542 or e-mail at p2cp@iname.com. Additional copies of this document may be also be found on-line at http://www.p2pays.org/iso/index/htm.
Kiel, Woodward, & Associates Management Consultants contributed to this report.
Published by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
For additional copies of the summary, contact:
North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance
P.O. Box 29569
Raleigh, NC 27626-9569
Phone: (919) 715-6500
Fax: (919) 715-6794
Web Address: http://www.p2pays.org/iso/index.htm
Sponsoring Agency: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (AZ DEQ)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: Expect to work with six facilities including a municipality, defense, and other industries. All facilities are seeking ISO 14001 certification. Participating facilities are eligibile for application of state environmental audit policy provision allowing for penalty mitigation in return for violations discovered through due diligence and promptly disclosed, corrected, and remediated.
Technical Assistance: Will be provided based on the needs of the company.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: Participating companies will be able to receive (1) penalty waiver pursuant to the state audit policy (i.e., self-disclosure and remediation with an appropriate time period), (2) recognition for participating in the pilot program, (3) training on EMS and other subjects, and (4) head-of-the-line privileges for any future regulatory flexibility opportunities.
Current Status: Program will be announced in March 1998.
Other Notes: AZ DEQ received a grant from the U.S. EPA Office of Water that is being used to pursue work on ISO 14000. City of Scottsdale is participating in EPA’s "Environmental Management Systems Demonstration Project for Municipalities and Counties." Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF) will provide technical assistance.
Contact: Greg Workman, (602) 207-4337
Sponsoring Agency: California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: Cal/EPA expects to work with as many as 10 facilities, possibly including an electronics firm, a municipality, a research laboratory and a defense facility. California is working with companies that are developing an EMS or already have been certified. Some facilities are developing an equivalent EMS but are not seeking certification at this time.
Technical Assistance: On a site-specific basis, California will provide technical assistance in the development of aspects, impacts, metrics, targets, and in particular legal requirements. California also will develop and distribute information as needed. In addition, California will assist in facilitating communications among stakeholders.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: Cal/EPA is looking for ways to streamline permitting, auditing and inspecting, monitoring, and reporting processes. Cal/EPA first talks with interested companies, then brings in local regulators. If an agreement can be reached, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is drafted for all parties and is followed by a project plan. Cal/EPA has developed a white paper that describes their approach to ISO 14000.
Current Status: Several MOUs have been drafted. There have been extensive conversations with interested companies.
Other Notes: Companies have been recruited by project staff at conferences and meetings with industry. Companies in the pilot program are developing an EMS of their own accord. For one of its pilot companies, Cal/EPA is developing a special project to involve suppliers in its ISO 14001 project as a means of spreading the impact of the EMS effort. Cal/EPA received a $50,000 grant from the U.S. EPA Office of Water that is being used to defray the participation costs for local regulatory bodies, to assist in transportation to meetings, etc. Also, Cal/EPA and the U.S. EPA will conduct a joint project with the Metal Finishers Association of Southern California to implement EMSs at two metal finishers. The EMS template the U.S. EPA has developed for SMEs (small- and medium-sized enterprises) will be used. Pilot facilities will be offered assistance with developing anEMS.
Contact: Jennifer Grubb, (510) 540-3003
Sponsoring Agency: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: DEP is working directly with four private sector companies, including both manufacturing and commercial businesses and the U.S. Postal Service on implementing EMSs in conjunction with U.S. EPA Region 1’s, Environmental Leadership/StarTrack partnership program.
Technical Assistance: DEP has conducted introductory ISO 14001 overview training for approximately 12 companies. In addition, it has participated in direct one-on-one audit evaluation for three companies in 1997-98. Three more will be conducted during 1998-99.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: Provided recognition and corrective action period and penalty mitigation under StarTrack agreements. Awarded two companies GreenCircle awards in 1998 for certifying to ISO 14001.
Current Status: Continuing StarTrack projects with three companies. GreenCircle awards for 1999 will again recognize new companies that certify to ISO 14001.
Other Notes: ——
Contact: Robert Kaliszewski, (860) 424-3003
Sponsoring Agency: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: Illinois EPA is working with 11 facilities who are already ISO 14001 certified, are in the process of being certified, or are developing their own internal environmental management system (ems) program. Facilities signed up to participate in Illinois’ pilot project are American NTN Bearing Manufacturing, Bridgestone/Firestone, The Dexter Corporation, Fuji-Hunt Photographic Chemicals, Motorola, Inc., Navistar International, Nobert Plating Company, S&C Electric, SWD, Inc., and Zexel USA Corporation.
Technical Assistance: Illinois EPA surveyed pilot companies to identify what types of technical assistance they would like, specifically in the areas of pollution prevention and stakeholder involvement. Pilot companies identified the following areas: workshop on risk communication and stakeholder involvement, training on EMS/ISO 14000, assistance in identifying environmental aspects, and internal auditor training. Illinois EPA is preparing assistance efforts in these areas in early-mid 1999.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: Illinois EPA has authority to implement a voluntary Regulatory Innovation Pilot Program (RIPP). RIPP allows the Agency to enter into agreements for five-year periods with companies that develop Environmental Management System Agreements (EMSAs). EMSAs operate in lieu of all applicable requirements under Illinois law and regulations that are identified in these agreements including, for example, self-permitting for process and equipment modifications, custom reporting and/or record keeping, materials accounting and management. Some, but not all, pilots will participate in the MSWG research protocol. Other companies will receive technical assistance but not be part of the RIPP.
Current Status: Eleven facilities currently are participating in Illinois’ program. Expect six facilities to have sent baseline information to UNC database by November 1998.
Other Notes: Recruitment efforts to attract new facilities/organizations to project include farming and livestock operations, hospitals, and small businesses.
Contact: Peter Wise, (217) 785-8786 or Keri Luly, (217) 524-1846
Sponsoring Agency: Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: IDEM offered $8,000 grants to manufacturers and municipalities to participate in its ISO 14001 Pilot Project with matching fundsrequired. IDEM started out with 14 facilities agreeing to participate (12 manufacturers and 2 municipalities). However, the 2 municipalities decided to not participate due to other conflicting priorities at the time. Four other manufacturers have backed out for similar reasons plus one facility that may be going out of business. Therefore, 8 facilities are participating in the pilot project. The facilities are: Hitachi Cable Indiana, Inc.; Signature Skylights LLC (dba LinEl Signature); Nishikawa Standard Co. - New Haven facility; Kobelco Metal Powder of America, Inc.; CMI - Precision Mold, Inc.; CMI - Wabash Cast, Inc.; Othy, Inc.; MascoTech Sintered Components, Inc.
Technical Assistance: Firms participating in the Pilot Project are required to convene a stakeholder work group that includes, but is not limited to, representatives from environmental groups, other businesses, local governments, and academia. IDEM will assist facilities in identifying stakeholders and implementing ISO 14001 if requested.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: Through the stakeholder work group, IDEM will ask facilities to come up with ideas on regulatory flexibility. Based on data and results that come in, IDEM may look at regulatory flexibility options. However, it is too early to tell right now.
Current Status: Four grant agreements have been finalized, signed and completed. Three others have been finalized and signed by everyone except Indiana’s Attorney General. This is the last step in the grant agreement process. One facility is putting together budget information so that the grant agreement can be finalized and sent through the state signature process. Three of the facilities have approved stakeholder groups, held at least one stakeholder meeting, and submitted baseline data to the University of North Carolina. One other facility is putting the finishing touches on their baseline data while 3 others are working on the baseline protocols.
Other Notes: IDEM received a grant of $100,000 from US EPA Office of Water. IDEM is using the EPA grant to expand its "Indiana Small Business Pilot Project for the Plastics Industry." Currently, there are 2 Indiana plastic manufacturers participating in the project by implementing an EMS, based upon ISO 14001.
Contact: Marc Hancock (317) 233-1043
Sponsoring Agency: Iowa Waste Reduction Center, University of Northern Iowa
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: Targeting small businesses with whom to work.
Technical Assistance: The Center provides small business with regulatory and pollution prevention assistance through training and technology transfer using personal consultation, manuals, and the web.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: ——
Current Status: The IWRC offers assistance for companies interested in establishing an EMS. For companies seeking third-party certification, the IWRC can conduct a full or partial audit prior to the registrar’s audit for certification. The IWRC also will conduct presentations on ISO 14000, EMS implementation and third-party certification.
Other Notes: ——
Contact: Marci Carter, (319) 273-8905
Sponsoring Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: More than 30 facilities have received EMS training. Facilities include manufacturers of air handling equipment, aircraft, wood cabinets, foods, lamps, coatings, and cement, printers, municipalities, electroplaters, waste management companies, salt miners, auto body shops, and military installations.
Technical Assistance: Technical assistance is provided by Kansas State University Pollution Prevention Institute (PPI), Jean Waters, Director. Four workshops on EMS have been offered since September 1997. Potentially, PPI will work with the local manufacturing extension partnership to provide gap analysis for companies implementing an EMS.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: The Kansas Audit bill provides limited immunity for companies that discover a violation as part of a self-audit and report it. They can receive the most benefit if they also have an EMS in place. They are not required to have the EMS registered under ISO 14000.
Current Status: Several companies have taken advantage of the audit policy. We plan to pursue several companies that have attended the workshops to offer them gap analysis.
Other Notes: ——
Contact: Jean Waters, (785) 532-6501
Sponsoring Agency: Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center (KPPC)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: Approximately 24 organizations from industries including chemical, paint, automotive parts, clothing accessories, and food processing participated in the first session of the Kentucky EMS Implementation Alliance.
Technical Assistance: KPPC sponsors a voluntary user group forum, the Kentucky EMS Implementation Alliance, in which business and industry collaboratively develop and implement ISO 14001-compatible EMSs. KPPC staff also provides on-site assistance in EMS development and implementation; gap analysis assessments; and customized ISO 14001 training for top management and front-line employees.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: None currently are planned.
Current Status: The Alliance is actively underway having held the first of five planned workshops. Additional training and on-site assistance is offered and provided upon request at a time and location convenient for the company.
Other Notes: KPPC is a free, non-regulatory, and confidential service offering statewide pollution prevention technical assistance and training. KPPC’s mission is to work with small and medium-size companies to increase profitability and reduce liability through cutting edge environmental management.
Contact: Tim Piero or Cam Metcalf, (502) 852-0965
Sponsoring Agency: Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: ——
Technical Assistance: ——
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: ——
Current Status: DEQ is participating in the Muti-State Working Group as an observer.
Other Notes: DEQ is forming a multi-stakeholder study group to recommend an EMS-based initiative.
Contact: Gary Johnson, (225) 765-0739 or Hugh Finklea, (225) 927-0816
Sponsoring Agency: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: There are three types of facilities involved: (1) state facilities, such as Corrections & Highway divisions, (2) chronic violators, and (3) others. For chronic violators, in the consent orders for these facilities, one of the required items is to develop an EMS. State agencies were contacted directly. Other companies have been contacted through trade association meetings, etc. These facilities will be solicited for their voluntary participation in completing the MSWG data protocols as well. To date, six to nine companies have expressed interest in participation.
Technical Assistance: No plans at this time to provide technical assistance to participating companies. DEP will be using an intern to assist on this project.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: No plans at this time to provide regulatory flexibility to participating organizations.
Current Status: Working toward beginning data collection with some companies by the beginning of summer 1998.
Other Notes: DEP currently is working on a department-wide position paper on EMSs. Massachusetts has two facilities participating in EPA’s "Environmental Management Systems Demonstration Project for Municipalities and Counties." These facilities are Massachusetts Corrections Institution-Norfolk and the City of Lowell Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Contact: Bob Bois, (508) 767-2748
Sponsoring Agency: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: Working with companies implementing ISO 14001 on a limited basis.
Technical Assistance: Planning to attend a workshop on how to use the guidance document.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: None at this time.
Current Status: Minnesota is not actively recruiting companies for an EMS pilot at this time.
Other Notes: Minnesota is giving priority to an environmental audit program through July 1 and currently also has a major agency reorganization. These activities will delay the implementation of an ISO 14000 pilot program.
Contact: Randy Hukriede, (218) 828-6076
Sponsoring Agency: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: DES is working with three facilities, an Air National Guard unit; a quasi-governmental industrial park landlord agency; and a research and development firm.
Technical Assistance: DES has hired a contractor to offer training to firms, state staff, and stakeholders. The contractor also will work with firms to collect data and provide EMS design and implementation assistance. DES plans to offer firms environmental compliance and EMS audits.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: DES will offer recognition by agency to participating firms.
Current Status: Firms have completed planning stages and are beginning implementation. In addition, DES has developed the DES ISO 14000 Advisory Committee.
Other Notes: DES is currently in its second round of recruitment for pilot facilities. Recruitment is on an ongoing basis.
Contact: Robert Minicucci, (603) 271-2941
Sponsoring Agency: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Pollution Prevention Unit.
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: Several facilities have notified the NYSDEC that they are in the process of being ISO 14001 certified or are developing an equivalent EMS. NYSDEC intends to monitor the progress of some of these facilities. In addition, NYSDEC has an ongoing pilot project with a NYS utility to evaluate the effectiveness of an ISO 14001 EMS.
Technical Assistance: NYSDEC plans on assisting firms with EMS design, EMS implementation, and public stakeholder involvement. In addition, the NYSDEC will explore the use of a forum in which a facility with an ISO 14001 EMS can share their experiences and approaches with a facility seeking to develop an EMS of their own.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: The NYSDEC is not pursuing regulatory flexibility at this time, but supports the concept that facilities with an ISO 14001 EMS, who also maintain consistent compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements should receive some sort of flexibility benefits. The NYSDEC plans on working together with interested organizations to determine and take advantage of existing operational flexibility mechanisms. At this time, however, NYSDEC is not basing any regulatory incentives solely on the use of an EMS or certification to ISO 14001. NYSDEC intends to follow the U.S. EPA’s position on ISO 14001. NYSDEC plans to publicly recognize facilities for their commitment to the ISO 14000 standards series.
Current Status: Staff has attended training on ISO 14000 documentation techniques and implementation plans. Future participation in ISO 14000, EMS implementation and third-party certification training is planned.
Other Notes: The NYSDEC Annual Pollution Prevention conference has included topics on ISO 14001 registration. ISO 14000 overview training has been provided to NYSDEC senior managers and environmental management staff. Additional ISO 14000 overview training for state staff is planned. Because of limited state resources, participation is limited.
Contact: Tanya Lahr, (518) 457-2553
Sponsoring Agency: North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: The state is partnering with the following facilities in its pilot project: Konica Manufacturing, USA, Honda Power Equipment, Exide Electronics, Lufkin/Cooper Tools, Duke Power Company, Novo Nordisk Biochem North America, and Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base. All facilities are ISO 9000 certified and two were previous Governor’s Award Winners for Excellence in Waste Reduction. Camp Lejeune is also participating in the Department of Defense ISO 14000 pilot program.
Technical Assistance: DENR is providing up to eight hours of technical assistance per week per facility for EMS development, training, and assistance with data collection. DENR initiated bimonthly industry roundtable meetings for pilot facilities. In addition to pilot facilities and state agency personnel, other outside stakeholders have attended roundtable meetings including trade associations and local municipalities.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: DENR is not pursuing flexibility at this time but has plans to begin discussion with pilot facilities, state staff, and interested parties in the future.
Current Status: On April 1, 1998, DENR staff received training from UNC-Chapel Hill researchers on the use of the data collection protocols. On May 14-15, 1998, DENR hosted the first national Pilot Project Implementation Workshop featuring presentations by facilities in its pilot program as well as speakers from other states with pilot programs. In addition, DENR hosted a workshop for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academic researchers on May 13, 1998.
Other Notes: DENR received a grant from the U.S. EPA, Office of Water, that is being used to hire a staff person to coordinate work on ISO 14000. DENR also coordinates meetings among state staff working with pilots to exchange ideas on EMS design, data collection efforts, etc. Finally, DENR posts information related to its ISO 14000 pilot program on its web page at http://www.p2pays.org/iso/index.htm
Contact: Beth Graves, (919) 715-6506
Sponsoring Agency: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: DEQ has nine companies who have given a letter of application, and another 6 who have expressed interest but for whom timing or resources are barriers. DEQ had a formal recruitment and selection process. In May 1998, DEQ began working with four facilities. They are Oki Semiconductor Manufacturing, LSI Logic, PacifiCorp, and Louisiana-Pacific. Oki Semiconductor announced the closing of its plant in Sept. 1998, but it is still considered part of the pilot program but will not be pursuing a Green Permit. DEQ is committed to doing at least one pilot in each of the state’s three regions, perhaps as many as five overall. Criteria for selection include: in-place EMS/ISO equivalent, multiple regulatory interactions, good compliance record, willingness to share environmental performance data with stakeholders, cooperative working relationship with DEQ in the past, and transferability of experience.
Technical Assistance: DEQ is testing models of staff assistance in two regional offices. DEQ will be providing 3-day training to staff. Regional staff will be assigned to participating companies. Representatives from air quality, water quality, hazardous and solid wastes have been active. Oregon anticipates providing about 1/2 FTE overall per facility per region for technical assistance. Staff will assist in public meetings with stakeholders and advise/train companies on EMS development.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: In House Bill 3457, the 1997 Oregon Legislature authorized "Green Permits," which recognizes superior environmental performance. This framework develops a system for promoting adoption of EMSs that include stakeholder involvement and levels of performance beyond compliance with regulations. The state has a four-tiered system that matches higher levels of environmental performance with increasing levels of regulatory flexibility. The highest level of achievement possible includes pre-approvals for permitting flexibility, emissions caps, regulatory waivers, modified recordkeeping and reporting requirements and public recognition as an environmental leader.
Current Status: Oregon has proceeded with its choice of companies and training of staff. DEQ had an initial mailing to 250 companies, then followed-up with those who expressed interest. Follow-up included meetings with 50 interested facilities, stakeholders, consultants and other interested parties. Four facilities are part of the state’s pilot.
Other Notes: Development of criteria and rules for adopting the Environmental Management System Incentive Program will be conducted with the assistance of the Green Permits Advisory Committee, which consists of industry and stakeholder representatives and agency staff. DEQ received a grant from the U.S. EPA Office of Water to assist in its ISO 14000 pilot project development.
Contact: Marianne Fitzgerald, (503) 229-5946
Sponsoring Agency: Office of Energy and Technology Development, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: Pennsylvania probably will have four to six pilot projects. Eight facilities have expressed an interest. These facilities represent a large range of industries, both public and private, large and small.
Technical Assistance: DEP’s regional staff will work with companies in completing the baseline data and will assist in developing and implementing their EMS. In addition, DEP will provide access to training on strategic environmental management concepts such as environmental accounting, managing supply chain relationships and materials throughput analysis.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: There are no plans to provide regulatory flexibility incentives. However, PA DEP will facilitate source reduction environmental solutions across DEP programs with the pilot organizations. Pennsylvania anticipates a high level of recognition from its DEP Secretary and Governor for participants.
Current Status: Final selection of pilot projects will be made in December 1998 with data collection beginning in January 1999.
Contact: Stacy Richards and Patrick McDonnell, (717) 783-0540
Sponsoring Agency: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: Working with three facilities. One is already certified to ISO 14001, the second will be certified by the end of the year, and the third expects the process to begin in summer of 1999. DEM expects to monitor both environmental and economic progress. Participating facilities are eligible for application of state environmental audit policy provision.
Technical Assistance: Will be provided based on company needs.
Regulatory Flexibility: Facilities are able to use the state audit policy provisions which allow for penalty mitigation in return for reporting of violations discovered through self-audit or due-diligence activity.
Current Status: DEM will continue to provide technical assistance to any RI facility interested in ISO 14000.
Other Notes: RIDEM works closely with an organization known as the RI ISO 14000 Roundtable. This is a group of industry and government representatives which provides education and monthly discussions of issues related to ISO 14000. DEM has also received a small grant from EPA Region 1 to measure the benefits of integrating pollution prevention into an ISO 14001-certified environmental management system.
Contact: Rich Girasole, (401) 222-6822 ext. 4414
Sponsoring Agency: Office of Pollution Prevention and Recycling, Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: TNRCC is considering working with chemical and electronic companies and the military that are going for ISO 14001 certification or developing equivalent EMSs. Five facilities currently are being considered for inclusion in the pilot program.
Technical Assistance: No plans at this time.
Regulatory Flexibility: No plans for regulatory flexibility at this time.
Current Status: Project is beginning with a new staff member hired to manage the project.
Other Notes: ——
Contact: Andrew Neblett or Sherman Krause, (512) 239-3134
Sponsoring Agency: Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC), Agency of Natural Resources
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: Thirteen manufacturers and service sector businesses, including electrical utilities, university laboratory/research facility, machine tool and machinery manufacturers, lithographic printer, medical waste incinerator, rail car assembly plant and health care facility are involved in the pilot. Several participating facilities are less than 100 employees and others between 100 and 200 employees.
Technical Assistance: Pilot participants are provided with EMS design and implementation workshops at no cost. A series of five workshops over a period of 24 weeks are provided by a contractor. Participants develop their EMS during and in-between sessions. Contractor assistance and assistance from staff of the non-regulatory Environmental Assistance Division is available for review and development of various elements of participants’ EMS, including possible EMS audit by the contractor after EMS development.
Regulatory Flexibility and Other Incentives: None other than no-cost EMS training and recognition by VT DEC.
Current Status: Implementation and design workshops are in progress and to be completed in the fall of 1998 of which time EMS design by participants will be completed.
Other Notes: Most participating facilities are currently not seeking ISO 14001 certification.
Contact: Gary Gulka, (802) 241-3626
Sponsoring Agency: Cooperative Environmental Assistance (CEA) Bureau, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: To date, seven organizations have agreed to participate in the pilot program: Madison Gas & Electric, Kohler Corporation, Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, Grover Piston Ring, Charter Steel, SK Williams and Navistar International. Several other organizations including the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers are considering participation. The initial seven companies were gathered together for a kick-off meeting on May 26, 1998. Six of the seven have completed their baseline evaluation as of November 1998.
Technical Assistance: CEA provides technical assistance to organizations involved in the program. Wisconsin has a $100,000 grant from U.S. EPA Office of Water which is helping in data collection, Web site development and project management. Recently, CEA staff participated in a two-day training session on ISO 14001 taught by NSF International. This short course provided staff with basic information to work with companies participating in the program. Wisconsin also participated in UNC training on data protocols and data collection in May 1998. Each participating organization is assigned a CEA staff member to provide assistance, if requested, to help companies identify impacts and aspects when developing their EMS and assist with public involvement. One staff member is included on a participating organization’s EMS development team.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: In addition to the ISO pilot program, CEA is also sponsoring the Environmental Cooperative Agreement Program. This pilot program affords companies regulatory flexibility in exchange for superior environmental performance and systematic environmental management through development and implementation of an EMS. Companies in any stage of EMS development may apply. UNC’s data protocols are a key element of this program and must be completed by any participating organization.
Current Status: A press release of the seven WI ISO pilot project participants was made at the end of September, 1998. The first application date for entering the Cooperative Agreement Program was June 1, 1998. Two facilities have applied for this program.
Other Notes: Wisconsin has an ISO 14000 working group which is made up of university faculty, lawyers, interested companies, and state agencies. Organizations in this group have been invited to participate in the research protocols.
Contact: Lynda Wiese, (608) 267-3125
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Sponsoring Agency: Office of Water, United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
No. & Type of Facilities Involved: Office of Water is involved in funding nine states that are exploring EMS development. Seven states are active in the MSWG. All states (Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin) are working with pilot facilities to gather data from the MSWG data protocols developed by EPA and states for submission to the national database at the University of North Carolina (UNC) -Chapel Hill. Funding for protocols and training for states and facilities on data collection also is being provided by the Office of Water. In addition, EPA is sponsoring "Environmental Management Systems Demonstration Project for Municipalities and Counties." Agencies participating in the project are: City of Lansing, Michigan; the City of Indianapolis, Indiana; the City of Scottsdale, Arizona; the City of Lowell, Massachusetts; the New York City Transit Authority, New York; the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland; the Massachusetts Department of Corrections; and Wayne County, Mississippi. Global Environment & Technology Foundation (GETF) will provide technical assistance. These participants will be collecting data consistent with the data protocols developed by EPA and States for the common data base.
Technical Assistance: EPA is active on the US TAG and the MSWG in addition to support for its grant programs.
Regulatory Flexibility or Other Incentives: EPA plans no action at this time and is awaiting the results of the pilot program.
Current Status: Funding has been provided for the above program. Implementation by states and municipalities is proceeding.
Other Notes: ——
Contact: Jim Horne, (202) 260-5802