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EPA REGION 8 POLLUTION PREVENTION REPORT
P2 University (P2-YOU) - Ecological Footprint. Region 8's P2 Team is presenting
an educational program that will help employees reduce impacts on the environment
through monthly sessions about P2 approaches and programs that are applicable
to EPA's work.
The first class, covering Ecological Footprint was held on February 1, 2001,
and 35 employees attended. The class was repeated on March 6, 2001 for the Colorado
Department of Health and Environment. Class evaluations were very favorable.
Several federal agencies have also expressed interest in the class. CONTACT:
Dianne Thiel (303) 312-6389
Colorado P2 Partnership Meeting with Governor Whitman Several members of the
Colorado P2 Partnership participated in a lunch meeting with Christie Todd Whitman
on Friday, March 16, 2001 during her visit to Region 8. Formed in 1989, the
P2 Partnership is unique alliance of industry, public interest groups and regulatory
agencies. Companies represented at the meeting were Lockheed Martin Astronautics,
Coors Brewing Company, Intertape Polymer Group, Pillow Kingdom, Conoco, Inc.,
ASARCO, Inc., and Samsonite Corporation. Leaders from the Colorado Public Interest
Research Group and the League of Women Voters attended representing non-governmental
organizations. Other government agencies represented were the U.S. Department
of Energy and the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment.
The meeting went very well. Company officials described some of their pollution
prevention efforts and the benefits of the partnership. The partnership is ready
to address emerging challenges of new economy and globalization and is looking
for innovative ways to promote environmental management systems, green the supply
chain, and mentor other businesses. CONTACT: Judy Wong, (303) 312-6390
P2-YOU: Home Energy Audit
The second class in Region 8's P2 University (P2-YOU) series was held on March
14, 2001. A representative from E Star Colorado provided background information
about how the home energy rating program was established by the Governor's Office
of Energy Management and Conservation to provide unbiased information about
energy efficiency in homes. The energy rating allows consumers to compare the
energy performance of one house to another. Programs such as energy efficient
mortgages were also discussed. A certified energy rater showed how energy ratings
are conducted and demonstrated equipment used. The rater also examined and explained
the results obtained from an actual energy rating conducted previously on a
volunteer's home. Cost savings and CO2 reductions were estimated for suggested
improvements and practices. About 30 people attended the class and evaluations
were very positive. CONTACT: Patty Crow, (303) 312-6464
Recycling Market Development Roundtable
On April 4-6, 2001, Region 8 held its 7th annual Recycling Market Development
Roundtable for recycling coordinators and recycling organizations in the Region
8 States. The focus of this year's meeting is electronics and green building.
Regarding electronics, we will discuss issues surrounding the disposal of obsolete
electronic equipment and techniques for building an infrastructure to divert
this potentially hazardous waste stream from entering the landfill. Regarding
green building, there are many opportunities in the building industry to divert
waste created on job sites, use recycled content building materials and even
deconstruct old structures so that materials can be reused and recycled. With
the continued growth and building occurring in Region 8 states, we will discuss
ways to promote more sustainable practices with this sector. CONTACT: Whitney
Trulove-Cranor, 303-312-6099
Environmentally Preferable Paint
Members of the P2 Team met with a representative from the air program to provide
information about environmentally preferable paints that would result in reduced
levels of hazardous air pollutants. The Maximum Achievable Control Technology
(MACT) standard for paints and coatings is under development. Information about
environmentally preferable paints and application could prove useful for businesses
to reduce their HAP emissions to the point where they will not be impacted by
the MACT standard. Contact: Gilbert Bailey 303-312-6284
P2-YOU: Energy Star Home Improvement Toolkit The Energy Star Home Improvement
Toolkit was demonstrated as a part of Region 8's P2 University series. The toolkit
utilizes actual energy bills and other information about your house to suggest
a number of recommended energy efficiency upgrades. The demonstration included
actual information from a volunteer's house. A follow up energy rating confirmed
many of the outcomes from the toolbox. Contact: Patty Crow, 303-312-6464
Recycling Legislation
Proposed Colorado legislation will authorize 0.5 FTE at the Colorado Department
of Public Health and the Environment to establish a cathode ray tube (CRT) recycling
pilot program. CRTs, found in computer monitors, televisions and some other
equipment, are a concern for public health and the environment because many
of them contain lead in excess of the TCLP limit of 5 mg/l. In addition, with
the State adding computer monitors and televisions to the Universal Waste Rule,
there will be increased demand for recycling services. EPA staff provided testimony
at both the House and Senate Committee hearings to educate Committee members
on the importance of diverting this waste stream from the landfill. Contact:
Whitney Trulove-Cranor 303-312-6099
P2 Sublead Visit to EPA Headquarters
Region 8 representatives visited Washington, DC on May 16, 2001, to meet with
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) and Pollution Prevention Division
officials and staff and to gain a better understanding of Headquarters programs
and priorities. A major emphasis of the OPPT program is the proposed "Chemically
Safe America" program to obtain and evaluate screening information for
high production volume chemicals submitted voluntarily by companies. Bill Sanders,
OPPT Director, challenged the Regions to market the successes of P2 programs
better and to develop quantitative information showing the efficiency of P2
in achieving environmental results. Other Headquarters activities included examination
of a 33/50-like program, involvement in the Administrator's Innovation Action
Council workgroups, and continuing work on an agricultural initiative. Contact:
Linda Walters, 303-312-6385 or John Larson, 303-312-6030
Forum of State and Tribal Toxics Action (FOSTTA) Meeting. Region 8 participated
in the FOSTTA meeting as the Regional P2 sublead representative. Agenda topics
included a review of the proposed "Chemically Safe America" program;
alternative emphases in the EPA P2 Program; a summary of the GAO P2 Report;
an update of the "Once in Always in" MACT policy; a state P2 approach
to TMDLs, and a presentation about the DfE project with GM/Saturn for greening
their supply chain. Mike Stahl, Director of the Office of Compliance, discussed
options for the proposed $25 million enforcement grant program in FY 2002. Steve
Johnson, Acting Administrator for OPPTS met with the group and explained his
priorities:
1) Pesticides and implementation of the FQPA,
2) Chemical testing for High Production Volume chemicals and the Voluntary Children's
Chemical Evaluation program,
3) Pollution Prevention, and
4) Biotechnology.
Contact: John Larson 303-312-6030
P2-YOU: Bicycle Commuting
The Bicycle Commuting class, held on June 7, 2001, required participants to
ride their bikes to work or transport their to work bikes via bus or light rail.
The class featured a bike tour from the Regional office north along the South
Platte River bike path. Program experts provided information about environmental
issues and features along the way. Topics addressed were: urban planning, redevelopment,
Brownfields, best management practices for erosion and runoff control, storm
water management, noxious weed control, agricultural water diversion and water
rights, discharge permits for a slaughterhouse, air permits for the Cherokee
Power Plant, and wastewater treatment. About 15 employees participated. Contact:
Dianne Thiel, 303-312-6389.
Colorado P2 Partnership Forum: Colorado's Energy Future. Region 8 had a display
at the Colorado P2 Partnership Forum about Colorado's Energy Future held on
June 8, 2001 at the Denver Zoo. The forum featured a variety of panel and individual
presentations about the reliability of power supplies, renewable energy sources,
energy efficiency, and climate change. The forum was a collaborative event sponsored
by the University of Colorado at Denver, the Colorado P2 Partnership, the Colorado
Department of Public Health and the Environment, the Governor's Office on Energy
Management and Conservation, and Home Depot. Contact: John Larson 303-312-6030
Living Roadsides Tour
On June 22, 2001 a group of Region 8 employees toured the Living Roadsides Project
in Conifer Colorado. The tour was presented by the Mountain Resource Center.
The project involves control of noxious weeds without herbicides and revegetation
of demonstration sites along a 31-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 285. Weeds are
controlled by hand pulling by community volunteers, community service organizations,
and a small paid crew and through release of biocontrol insects on selected
sites. Community response to this project has been tremendous. The project also
has support from the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Colorado
Department of Agriculture Insectary. The tour was also covered by a reporter
from the Evergreen paper. Contact: Peg Perreault, 303-312-6286
Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Risk Screening Region 8 has hired a summer intern
to apply the EPA risk screening model to the TRI data for the Region. The risk
screening results will be used to target pollution prevention outreach and possibly
direct technical assistance efforts. The sectors identified as contributing
the greatest risks from TRI releases in Region 8 are fabricated metal products
(72 percent), petroleum refining and related industries (11 percent), electronic
and other electrical equipment (6 percent) and primary metal industries (4 percent).
Contact: Joyel Dhieux, 303-312-6447 or Trudy Oliver 303-312-6427
Cleaning Products Report
The report, Cleaning National Parks: Using Environmentally Preferable Cleaning
Products at Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, was mailed to the grantees
and EPA project officers for the Buy Clean grant program. Many of the Buy Clean
projects involve evaluation of janitorial products. Cleaning National Parks
assists organizations with making a switch to environmentally preferable cleaning
products. Additional copies of the report are available through the Pollution
Prevention Information Clearinghouse at 202-260-1023. Contact: Dianne Thiel,
303-312-6389
P2-YOU: Community Gardens
This course featured a visit of community gardens in Boulder, Colorado on July
11, 2001. There were 17 people in the class. The class discovered how easy it
is to travel to Boulder on the RTD bus system. On the bus and along the tour
route, class participants had the opportunity to get to know other EPA employees
from different program areas and to "put a face to a name" for a member
of the P2 Team. The class visited Growing Gardens and learned how the gardens
can foster a sense of community and environmental protection. The group met
with the director of Growing Gardens, and she conducted a tour of two community
garden sites and spoke about the importance of gardening to environmental awareness.
The class observed a children's organic gardening class in progress. The instructor
provided P2 tips for organic gardening and composting and distributed a P2 Fact
sheet on organic gardening. Members of the class all had gardens and shared
their stories. Finally, participants visited the Boulder Farmers Market, discussed
the importance of keeping family farms in the community, and had a chance to
purchase fresh fruit and vegetables. Contact: Marie Zanowick, 303-312-6403.
Invesco Field at Mile High
Region representatives met with managers from the Denver Broncos and Turner
Construction regarding opportunities for energy conservation, waste reduction,
recycling, and composting for the new stadium. Information about EPA partnership
programs, Energy Star and Wastewi$e were provided, along with local contacts
and resources. The Denver Broncos organization is interested in joining the
partnership to help address energy issues at the stadium. Turner Construction
is interested in joining the partnership to help with retrofitting of other
stadiums throughout the US. Further meetings with the group will take place
after the opening of the new stadium. Contact: Patty Crow, 303-312-6464 or Whitney
Trulove-Cranor, 303-312-6099
Energy Star® Labeled Buildings
Eight commercial buildings and schools received the bronze plaque for superior
energy performance. Five schools in Yankton, South Dakota, two office buildings
in Denver, CO and one office buildings in Salt Lake City, Utah. Contact: Patty
Crow, 303-312-6464
Energy Efficient Homes Tour
Winners of the Most Energy Efficient Homes of the New Millennium Awards were
chosen around Colorado from five regions. The winners represent three different
types of homes: custom, production and non-profit. The awards were sponsored
by EPA and E-Star of Colorado. The Western Colorado winners are Colorado Dream
Homes and Balanced Construction; Inter-Mountain winner was Kurowski Development;
Southeast Colorado winners are Domega Homes, Tierra Concrete Homes and Upper
Arkansas Area Council of Governments; Northeast Colorado winners are Lifestyle
Homes and Classic Custom; and Denver Metro winners are McStain Enterprises,
Kurowski Development and Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. Contact: Patty
Crow, 303-312-6464
Energy Star® Workshops
Region 8 sponsored a series of three workshops to promote Energy Star® programs.
The first workshop was held on July 25, 2001 in partnership with the City of
Littleton, Colorado and the Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation.
The session, "Money for Your Energy Upgrades," which focused on financing
energy efficiency projects, was presented to 35 financial officers and facilities
directors for state and local government agencies and educational institutions.
On July 26, 2001, the University of Colorado at Denver, Wirth Chair in Environmental
and Community Development Policy and E-Star of Colorado partnered with EPA to
sponsor the workshop, "Money for your Energy Upgrades," for 25 chief
financial officers in the non-profit, public and quasi-government sectors. On
July 27, 2001, the Region 8 specialist held a working session for Xcel Energy
sales and marketing staff on the Energy Star® platform. The training session
covered areas of portfolio manager, bench marking, institutional purchasing,
and financing. Region 8 also met with Western Governors' Association representatives
to present the Energy Star® platform as a way for States' to adopt a resolution
on energy efficiency. The committee will address the issue at the Western Governors'
Association annual meeting in August. Contact: Patty Crow, 303-312-6464
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