EPA Region 8
Pollution Prevention Roundtable
Jackson, Wyoming
September 29 - October 1, 2003

Attendees:

• Sadie Hoskie, Region 8 EPA
• John Brink, Region 8 EPA
• Linda Walters, Region 8 EPA
• Marie Zanowick, Region 8 EPA
• Mike Vogel, Montana P2 Program
• Kent Belland, North Dakota P2 Program
• Brian Spangler, Montana DEQ
• Bonnie Rouse, Montana DEQ
• Sonja Wallace, Utah DEQ

• Steve Roseberry, Wyoming DEQ
• Laura Estes, Peaks to Prairies Center
• Steve Guettermann, Peaks to Prairies Center
• Beth Anderson, EPA Headquarters, OPPT/PPD
• Julie Klein, Grand Teton Lodge Company
• Jim Evanoff, Yellowstone National Park
• Lori Fussell, Institute of Science, ecology and the Environment

Environmental Management Systems in EPA Region 8 P2 Programs

What is an EMS?

"An Environmental Management System is that part of the overall practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the environmental policy." ISO

EMS focuses on environmental management practices rather than activities themselves. It provides a structure by which certain activities can be carried out.

What is pollution prevention's role in EMS?

Element #12 of EPA's EMS Program is: "Incorporate EMS into P2 Programs". EMS's play a major role in many of EPA's pollution prevention programs because of their capacity to identify environmental improvement opportunities that exist outside traditional regulatory compliance. These opportunities include improving energy and resource efficiency, addressing product stewardship responsibilities, and managing unregulated hazardous chemicals.

Sectors Identified in Region 8 to Focus EMS Efforts

• Agriculture
• Ski Areas
• Small business - auto service...
• Storm water P2 Plans
• State Agencies
• National Parks, State Parks, concessionaires
• Trade Associations
• Federal Facilities

Potential Benefits for EMS Adoption

• Industry standard focused on environment
• Saves money in the long run
• Documented guide for small businesses and employees
• Inclusion in preferred vendor lists

EMS Tools and Resources

• EMS training is available to states and federal facilities from Region 8 EPA
  • EMS Overview - the EMS team has a Power Point presentation about their agency EMS
  • Basic EMS Training - Dianne Thiel, RCRA HQ in 2004, Marie Zanowick (4-hour intro)
  • Designing EMS for Federal Facilities - Dianne Thiel (may also substitute course on Policy and Planning Phases)
  • May develop workshop and materials for trade associations interested in implementing sector-based EMSs with their members
• EMS assistance from HQ
  • EMS Implementation Guide
  • EMS Template for metal finishing sector (for small and medium-sized facilities
  • EMS Technical Assistance - promoting and training in environmental cost accounting, assistance to businesses, educating banks and insurance companies
• P2Rx EMS Topic Hub - a collection of EMS resources (new window)
• PEER Center (new window)
• EPA Web Page (new window)
• Iowa Waste Reduction Center's EMS Service Center (new window)
• International Organization for Standardization (new window)

Montana DEQ - Lead for state agency EMS effort
Wyoming - Technical P2 assistance
North Dakota - Awareness, sponsor action groups, serve as a clearinghouse
Utah - Lead in EMS promotion, assist DEQ in implementing
Colorado - Agricultural EMS permit pilot
MSU - Possible workshop, outreach to small businesses

Summary of Measurement Report

Region 8 is a model of the direction headquarters would like agencies to take. Further information about their national goal for measurement can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/p2home/pubs/resources/p2meas.htm. (new window)

They are requiring reporting for four core outcome measures:

• pounds saved
• gallons saved
• BTU equivalents saved
• Dollars saved

Reporting can be used for P2 promotion nationally, within the region and within each state.

Region 8 has decided to continue collecting activity measures (based on the pilot) and will modify the tool to also address the requirement for impact measures. They have also allowed submission of this report in place of the regular end-of-grant report to reduce the administrative burden.

States may include other reports and measures as they deem appropriate (e.g. PPA, state of the ____, testimonials to legislature, etc.)

One issue remaining to be resolved is how to measure the impact of educational efforts that are so important to lifestyle changes and pollution prevention.

Beth Anderson's slide show on measurement. (.pps, new window)