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Region 6 Pollution Prevention Roundtable

 Meeting

 

 

 

Little Rock, Arkansas

 

September 7-8, 2004

 

 

 

MINUTES    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report Prepared By:

 

Hilario Gamez,

Professional Business Advisor

Institute for Manufacturing and Materials Management

 

University of Texas at El Paso
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

OVERVIEW                                                                                                                 2

 

OPENING REMARKS                                                                                                3

 

P2 ROUNDTABLE TIMELING REVIEW                                                                     3

 

SOUTHWEST NETWORK FOR ZERO WASTE                                                           6

 

STATE UPDATES                                                                                                       

 

  • TCEQ, presented by Grace Hsieh                                                                     11

 

  • LCRA, Mark Johnson                                                                                       11

 

  • Louisiana DEQ, Gary Johnson                                                                         11

 

  • TMAC, Hilario Gamez                                                                                      15

 

  • Oklahoma DEQ, Dianne Wilkins                                                                      15

 

  • Arkansas, Audree Miller                                                                                 16
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  • NMED, Michelle Vattano, Erin Murphy                                                                        16

 

  • WERC, Chris Campbell                                                                                    17

 

 

 

APPENDIX A:    LIST OF PARTICIPANTS                                                                20

 

APPENDIX B:    AGENDA                                                                                        21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OVERVIEW

 

 

The Roundtable meeting was hosted by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. Roundtable participants will also attended the Arkansas Watershed Advisory Group’s 2004 conference, “Clean Water – Stronger Communities”.

Sandi Formica opened the meeting and welcomed the participants. She spoke about the challenges of instituting a P2 program and the misperceptions from various media, enforcement and permitting programs. 

After that, Joy Campbell proceeded with introduction of participants and a summary of the previous meetings agreements. She spoke about the importance of the environmental indicators and the various kinds of reporting, stressing the need for a common way of reporting the improvements accomplished by different groups and organizations.

Thomas Vinson presented an update of the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange activities and discussed the use of the P2 Planner, a tool for preparing a pollution prevention plan. He also talked about the topic hub integration on the website, and a case study database, which identified 32 new case studies.

 

The Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ) was represented by Grace Hsieh, who made an eloquent presentation of the projects and accomplishments of the organization and answered questions related to EMS audits.

Representing the LCRA, Mark Johnson spoke about how the Colorado River Authority is working with school children to promote energy conservation education -simple things like turning off the lights at home can have a tremendous impact in saving the environment. The LCRA promotes the use of a powerhouse software for kids to use and learn about energy conservation.

 

Hilario Gamez -P2 Roundtable moderator, discussed the history of the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, a program that helps manufacturers in the state of Texas to improve their operation, reduce waste and become more profitable. He explained how reducing defect rate, a manufacturing company can  significantly increase its profitability.

 

All State representatives made their respective presentations. Dianne Wilkins of the ODEQ, spoke about the accomplishments of the Oklahoma Star Program and other ongoing activities such as the SAV’s – working with printing and packaging NESHAAP. Gary Johnson, who is retiring represented the state of Louisiana, and Audree Miller represented the ADEQ.

 

Chris Campbell presented the accomplishments of the NMSU-WERK, while Michelle Vattano and Erin Murphy representing the state of New Mexico spoke about the Green Zia and the development of outreach materials.

Joy Campbell closed the meeting with a summary of activities emphasizing the importance of partnership opportunities with organizations such as POTW’s and MEP’s. 

Opening Remarks

Sandi Formica, ADEQ

 

Sandi Formica, opened the meeting.  Her division is also hosting the Arkansas Watershed Advisory Group’s 2004 conference, “Clean Water – Stronger Communities”. that the roundtable members will be attending. 

 

One of the biggest challenges of instituting a P2 program is overcoming misperceptions from various media, enforcement and permitting programs.  After a rough start, the Arkansas P2 program began to take root. 

 

The P2 program has four meetings a year with the agency to educate staff on P2.  They are also making an agency EMS.  The purpose is to educate the agency, and then through their example move it out to sate agency (40,000 employees).  Audree Miller is working on a green purchasing program.  She is also working on hybrid vehicles. 

 

They are working to develop a stakeholder group to form relationships and partnerships because it will facilitate getting results.  Another challenge is the fact that staffing and funding has not been consistent.  As a result they have had to start/stop operations. 

 

Allen discussed the mercury P2 program.  Arkansas economic development commission used to lead the P2 efforts.  They used to have some entrances to businesses.  Diane Wilkinson reminded the roundtable of some joint conferences, site visits, etc.  

 

Members of the organization are thinking of how to incorporate compliance assistance. They are also looking for bringing in outside resources for compliance assistance.  They are seeking funding for outside resources.

 

Sandi emphasized that they wanted to create a consistent P2 program.  She promoted the watershed management program as one of the best tools for promoting P2. 

 

 

P2 Roundtable Timeline Review

Joy Campbell, EPA

 

At the last roundtable we had discussed:

1. Indicators

  1. Strategy for Region
  2. Partnerships (partnering with Manufacturing assistance centers)

 

EPA’s  National Strategic Plan:

http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/plan/2003sp.pdf

 

 

Goal 5.2.2: P2 to Industry – The P2 grants that we get is tied to this goal.

 

 

We use indicators to show our success back to congress. The following  are a set of indicators:

 

Air Emissions Reduced

Hazwaste Reduced

Clean Water

 

Joy suggested adding the regulatory reduction. As a group we chose to use a P2 Based EMS as an umbrella

 

Programs that work under that are

  • H2E – well known and established program
  • Greening the supply chain – effects a broad range of businesses.  Major corporations are demanding it.
  • Greening the food chain (agriculture to FOG’s) -

 

We chose this strategy because these are established, and easy to transfer strategies.

 

Also, we have discussed piggybacking our next P2 conference with the April pretreatment/POTW meeting in Irving, Texas. 

 

Partnering opportunities, increasing funding: Packaging it so it can go back to congress.  

 

Measurement is key.  Measurement tool that should be able to capture data by state, then by region, then national.  This will allow us to get credit for the effectiveness of the work we are doing.

 

1.  RCC -  contact Mellisa Gayleon

 

Is also under goal 5, it covers most of the goals in our region.Congress gives money for Resource Conservation.  Had $700,000 for contract money that is undergoing review.  States and regions can apply.  Sent e-mails to state contacts.  Covers all hazardous and solid waste. 

 

2. OSWER innovations grant program for universities and non-profits.  Twice per year.  Mary Kemp is the lead.  Spring/Fall. State innovations environmental resource program (Baltimore, Mariland) automotive shops State Innovation.

Follow up:  get exact dates from Melissa.

3.  H2E under goal 4 of EPA strategic plan.

 

4. Regional Administrator/Regional Geographic Initiative a.k.a RA/RGI (discretionary funding) -  Typically given out as grants.  LCRA  had a proposal under this initiative to host a symposium to reduce mercury. Ex.  Mercury reduction in coal.  Potential link between Louisiana/LCRA.

 

December - March

 

5. Performance Partnership Grant 

RCRA for combustion, hazardous waste, enforcement

- State

- TCEQ partners with El Paso del Norte

– Line item for RCC

Every fiscal year. It should be coming out soon.

 

 

6. Dianne mentioned “State Innovations/Environmental Results program” -  Primary for innovations in permitting, but wrapped in P2 and EJ.    Contact “Reggie?”

 

7. PPG (Pollution Prevention Grant, but informally called PPIS)

  • Grant for states, require a 50% match. 
  • State agencies, universities can apply for it.

 

476,000 per year

 

Coming out sometime between December and March

 

8. Set aside grants (aka Source Reduction Grants) – for non-profits/universities.  Require at least 5% match.  Get about $146,000

Come out Dec.-March  about the same time as PPG.

 

-         This money is “EPM money”  it can get cut very quickly.  It gets swept.

These need to go quickly, so they can’t get awarded. 

 

PBT – advertised nationally.

Air Toxics, P2 program, air toxics reduction projects.  665-6763. TRI, PBT for states.

 

Roundtable discussion:

Mercury is getting the most attention.  Dianne suggested we think of other air toxics

PAHydrocarbons,

 

 

Joy suggested that we have “projects in the box”.  Have a one page outline of potential projects, with a good title, and a one page explanation. 

 

For Example:  Municipalities – pretreatment, intro into establishing a city EMS.  Focus on POTW. 

Ex. 2 – Indoor air quality for daycares.

 

Other Ideas:

 

SEP’s – Supplemental Environmental  Projects (Dr. Jerrold Carney) Chemicals inventory in the schools. Violating companies.

 

Small Scale Chemistry for Schools -  P2, EMS, resource exchange, Resource conservation.  Credit for state. 

 

Follow up:  SEP’s to Jerry Kotas with DOE has some good case studies of using SEP’s to reduce energy usage. 

 

Kinds of SEP’s.  Can be offered by agency or facilty. 

 

Two ways to get a project funded by SEP

-         Get the enforcement officer.

-         Legal/Lawyers barriers.

-         P2 and pollution reduction categories.

 

For instance MOP for SEP. 

 

Follow up: Dianne, got the MOPP van funded under SEP.  (Grace – Tamara got it funded) for metal finishers. 

 

 

 

 

Southwest Network for Zero Waste

Presented by Thomas Vinson

 

This presentation gave a summary of the Southwest Network for Zero Waste

  

 

          

                                         

 

                                        

 

 

 

 

                                             

 

 

                                     

 

 

                                        

                                               

 

 

 

                                               

 

 

                                               

 

 

                                               

                                               

 

 

                                               

 

                                                           

 

 

                                               

 

 

                                               

 

 

                                               

 

 

                                               

 

 

 

Nurtured World  - Presentation by Thomas Vinson-Peng

 

This slide presentation was made by Thomas Vinson for Susan Roothaan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STATE UPDATES

 

Texas TCEQ,  Grace Hsieh

 

Grace provided an update of the P2 activities at TCEQ. Referred to website www.BorderP2.org

She explained the process of EMS audits and answered questions about the subject. It is not clear if the audits are the same at the national level, that is, performance based audits.

 

LCRA Mark Johnson

 

The group is working with school kids educating them on energy conservation practices. There are several tools to save energy. Children get to understand that simple things like turning off the lights at home when not needed will conserve large amounts of energy. 

Energy conservation service providers: The utility agrees to sponsor a school providing one facilitator from LCRA to conduct exercises in the classroom.

Also an investigation guide is available as a checklist to measure electricity consumption, and the powerhouse software for kids to use and learn about conservation.

Schools participate and get their own energy audits.

It is recognized that energy conservation and air pollution are always overlooked.

For any questions on the subject, visit the LCRA website.

 

 

 

Louisiana DEQ, Gary Johson

 

                                               

 

 

 

                                               

 

                                               

 

 

 

 

                                               

 

 

                                               

 

 

                                               

                                               

 

 

                                               

 

 

 

                                               

 

 

                                                           

 

                                               

                                               

 

 

 

                                               

 

 

 

Nurtured World, Thomas Vinson-Peng for Susan Roothaan

 

 

TMAC, Hilario Gamez

 

In today’s competitive business environment, initiatives must justify themselves economically. Six Sigma has become popular because it delivers measurable, tangible economic benefits.  Quality improvement leads to reduced costs, better customer satisfaction and improved profitability. Using as an example a manufacturing company, Hilario explained how the break-even point for the operations of a company can be a powerful indicator to show top management that reducing defects in the process, not only reduces waste but significantly enhances the profitability of the organization while improving the environment.

 

 

Oklahoma DEQ, Dianne Wilkins

 

  1. “Waste Not” a half page article in the OKC Business News -  Dianne quit sending mailouts because the information went to the environmental department, and not to the manufacturing specialists.  So, by getting article to the businessmen, she is raising awareness within the required group
  2. Dianne received an invitation to speak at EFO board – Environmental Federation of Oklahoma
  3. Oklahoma Start Program - 
    1. Smaller companies were overwhelmed when she tried to explain too much about Baldridge and related subjects. Doing the OKC (Oklahoma Star Program) allowed people to get a star each time they advanced. 
    2. University of Oklahoma  and National Standard are looking at starting an EMS (highest level of OKStar program)
    3. First star given to Natural Evelotion -  A company that disassembles computers and sells the parts on EBAY for profit.
  4. Sustainability – working with a variety of partners on sustainability.  Wants to get Nurtured world to speak at OK sustainability Network
  5. Ongoing activitieis
    1. SAV’s -  working with printing and packaging NESHAAP.  If a performance Track, the NESHAP is different.  Inspectors threatened
    2. FOG – half day sessions 9-12 and 6-9 for the food service.  She tailors the level of complexity to fit the audience
    3. H2E

 

Upcoming events:

October!

  1. MSWG Quarterly Meeting in OK City
  2. How to inventory get on website

·        First star given to Natural Evelotion - 

1.      Follow up:  Dianne will get case study with measurable results.

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