Discusses New York State's efforts to implement an environmental management system for state agencies.Ope

Vana, John M.

IDEALS @ Illinois

The Case of a State Government EMS Program

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The Case of a State Government EMS Program Winter 2002 Great Lakes Regional P2 Roundtable ConferenceJohn M. Vana, P.E.NYSDECPollution Prevention UnitPhone: (518) 402-9490Email: jmvana@gw.dec.state.ny.usPresentation Overview Accomplishments Problems/Remaining Issues Future directionAccomplishments Capacity Building - External EffortsEMS guidance for small-to-medium sized organizations (available in spring 2002) STEP 1: The Basics – focused on understanding the EMS concept and building support from management STEP 2: EMS Development and Implementation Guide – focused on the fundamental steps of developing and implementing an EMS STEP 3: EMS Template – focused on providing the tools necessary to efficiently develop and implement an EMSAccomplishments External Efforts (cont.) Developed sector focused P2/compliance and environmental assessment manuals to complement the generic EMS guidance Metal Finishing Electronics and Computer Industry Printing Industry Health Care  Food Processing Industry Wood Furniture and Fixture IndustryThese documents can be found at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ppu/p2pub.htmlAccomplishments External Efforts (cont.) Workshops – metal finishers, health care facilities, and state agencies Strategic Goals Program for Metal Finishers –has an EMS component Accomplishments Capacity Building - Internal Efforts Introductory EMS Training for: Enforcement Attorneys Program Attorneys Regional Attorneys  M2P2 Coordinators Need to continue these efforts and expand effort to reach out to our environmental quality divisions (i.e. air, water and waste)Accomplishments EMS use in enforcement actions Example - Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) Consent Order  Consent Order set forth: Initial EMS training by NYSDEC Key elements that EMS must address Phased schedule to implement EMS Requires monthly update summaries to be submitted NYSDEC evaluation upon completionAccomplishments  EMS at NYSDECReceived initial support from our executivesEMS will be focused on maintenance operations Initial goal is to implement a pilot EMS at one of our regional maintenance centersProblems/Remaining Issues  Facilities unwilling to request assistanceUncertain how DEC staff will deal with identification of a violationFear of incurring penaltiesPrevalent Department practice - an inspector must act on any violation in the enforcement processNo policy or guidance to develop a more certain understanding between inspectors and facilitiesProblems/Remaining Issues  No policy for using EMS in enforcement Difficulty in developing a policy/model that will ensure enhanced environmental performanceBelief by enforcement attorneys that an EMS is inappropriate for penalty mitigation Why should we provide penalty mitigation, the EMS itself is supposed to save money??Future Direction  Develop a means to effectively provide assistance to industryCan we differentiate between enforcement inspectors and staff providing assistance??Develop a policy that gives industry more certainty in the way DEC will handle violations  Future Direction  Develop an Industry EMS Pilot ProgramAllow both the DEC and Industry to learn What is the most appropriate role for DEC? What are the limits of EMS?  What are the benefits of EMS?Show industry that the DEC can work with them in a cooperative fashionCreate pressure for other facilities to implement EMSFuture Direction  Integrate an EMS focus in our multi-media pollution prevention (M2P2) program   Leverage the facility expertise derived from the EMS Pilot Program, by building an EMS mentoring program Develop an Industry recognition program that is built around EMS

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The Case of a State Government EMS Program

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IDEALS @ Illinois

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