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States to Test Innovative Approaches to Environmental Permitting
Judy Pino 202-564-7338 / pino.judy@epa.gov
November 13, 2003
EPA has announced a total of $442,000 in awards to four states that will
test innovative approaches to
environmental permitting. These awards, which are being made under the
EPA State Innovation Grant program's
2002-2003 competition, will support the following activities:
- Colorado ($150,000) - will work with select industries to create facility-level
compacts that
eliminate the need for multiple permits and provide a more comprehensive framework for managing
environmental activities. - Illinois ($97,000) - will develop a system that allows permittees
to make certain permit
modifications without prior regulatory approval if they have demonstrated strong environmental
stewardship by developing and implementing formal environmental management systems. - Oregon ($120,000) - will develop a streamlined process for managing
water-based sediments that
will enable faster and more economical decisions about beneficial reuse and other disposal
options. - Texas($75,000) - will integrate a requirement for formal environmental
management systems (EMS)
into air and water permitting programs to help drive continuous environmental improvement.
The State Innovation Grant program was established in 2002 to support
States' interest in developing
innovative approaches to environmental protection. Three awards from the
2002-2003 competition totaling
$300,000 were presented earlier this year to Arizona, Delaware and Massachusetts.
By enabling pilot testing of
innovative approaches, EPA expects the State Innovation Grant program
to reveal important lessons that can be
shared with all States to make environmental programs more efficient and
effective. For more information go
to: http://www.epa.gov/innovation/stategrants/sig2002.htm.