Region 1: EPA New England

Greenbytes: January 13, 2005 Edition

Greetings from EPA New England. We hope you find this edition of Greenbytes useful and we encourage you to give us feedback. For information on subscribing or unsubscribing see the section at the end of this message.

Feature: The Environmental Results Program Grows in the Auto Sector with Support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The automobile is one of the great common denominators in American society today. Almost everyone has at least one vehicle, and the environmental impact of these vehicles, and the industries that service them, is profound. While the impact of most auto shops is small, taken together the environmental impacts can be significant.

Developing ways to work with business to foster a clean environment is a top priority for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). One of the most effective new programs is the Environmental Results Program (ERP). The EPA has strongly supported the development of ERP models in the auto sector by providing both funding and technical assistance. Several states have developed, or are in the process of developing, model ERP programs for auto body, auto repair shops and auto salvage yards.

ERP is a partnership program between state and federal government to provide more effective regulation of small businesses. ERP uses compliance assistance to help businesses understand and certify their compliance with environmental laws. It also uses inspections and performance measurement to ensure that certifications are accurate and that environmental performance is improving.

The ERP was pioneered several years ago in Massachusetts and is now being implemented in fourteen states across the country. In New England, Maine is developing a program for auto body and auto repair shops; Vermont is developing one for service stations; and Rhode Island is developing a program for auto salvage yards.

The EPA's ERP was established on the basic premise that small business compliance will improve if facilities have a better understanding of state and federal regulations. With assistance from trade associations, states have designed ERP workbooks and workshops explaining regulatory requirements for particular sectors, alternative pollution prevention approaches, and best management practices in plain language that is oriented to business. A central part of ERP is a self-certification program that requires businesses to conduct environmental self-examinations. Based on the results, the facility either certifies their compliance, or if there are problems, the facility files a Return-to-Compliance Plan with the state. In most cases, penalties are not assessed when a return-to-compliance plan is developed, however the state follows up to see that the problem has been resolved.

EPA New England is proud that Maine, Vermont and Rhode Island were recently awarded State Innovation Grants (SIG) of up to $200,000 each for developing ERP programs. EPA established the SIG program in 2002 to help strengthen EPA's innovation partnerships with States and Tribes and is aimed at achieving improved environmental results across industry sectors by using compliance assistance and other innovative tools.

ERP is a promising example of using an innovative environmental management approach to successfully link regulatory requirements with compliance assistance and performance measurement in a way that is supportive and helpful to businesses.

To learn more about EPA's innovative programs visit:

EPA Innovation

EPA NE Press Release: EPA Awards $552,075 For State Innovations Grants to Environmental Agencies in ME, VT and RI

Environmental Merit Award Reminder
Nominate an individual, business, government agency, not-for-profit, professional association, or college/university whose work on behalf of the environment during the past year is worthy of recognition. The nomination period is now open. Your nomination must be postmarked no later than January 19, 2005.

Environmental Merit Awards

Press Releases

EPA Seeks Nominations for Annual Environmental Merit Awards; Deadline for Nominations is Jan. 19, 2005

Medford Highlights Progress in Dramatically Reducing Pollution from School Buses

North Andover Company Cited for Idling Violations Will Pay Fine, Make Improvements to Vehicle Fleet To Reduce Diesel Pollution

Demolition Work Set to Begin at New Hampshire Plating Superfund Site

EPA Expects to Begin Cleanup at Van Buren, Maine Site on Thurs. Jan. 6

Investigation Continues at Nuclear Metals Site in Concord, MA

Meetings & Conferences

Art and the Environment - A Regulatory Workshop for Art Colleges and College and University Art Programs
January 19, 2005 - Providence, RI

NETC (Newport) Restoration Advisory Board
January 19, 2005 - Newport, RI

MMR Impact Area Review Team
January 25, 2005 - Newport, RI

New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site, Business Abutters Meeting
January 27, 2005 - Newport, RI

New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site Community Forum Subcommittee meeting
January 27, 2005 - Newport, RI

What's New on the Web

Beede Superfund Site - alphabetical list of transporters

Brownfields - new success stories

CEIT - updated wastewater stormwater technology info

EPA NE Regional Lab - latest charles river report posted (2003)

In The News Daily Email Service

"In The News" is a free daily service that provides links to today's top newspaper stories about the New England environment and links to related EPA New England information.

In The News Email Service: As soon as today's edition of "In The News" has been posted we will inform you via email.