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Performance Track Third Annual Progress Report - Executive Summary
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Performance Track program is closed permanently; see the Federal Register notice of May 14, 2009 (PDF) (2 pp, 85K) for more details.
This website will be maintained until at least September 1, 2009.
Additional Progress Report Information
Download the complete Performance Track Third Annual Progress Report (PDF, 2.1MB, 36 pp., about PDF)
Performance Track Fast Facts:
• The program currently has 351 members in 46 states and Puerto Rico.
• To date, Performance Track members report that they have collectively reduced their water use by more than 1.3 billion gallons — enough to meet the water needs of New York City’s 8 million inhabitants for a day.
• Members report that they have cut their generation of solid waste by nearly 600,000 tons, and have decreased their energy use by more than 8.4 trillion British Thermal Units (BTUs), enough to power more than 80,600 homes for a year.
• In 2003 alone, Performance Track members report that they collectively reduced their energy use by 5.3 trillion BTUs, water use by 566.3 million gallons, and solid waste by nearly 300,000 tons.
For the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Performance Track program (Performance Track), 2004 was a year of growth, renewal, and the achievement of several important milestones:
- The program’s charter members completed their first three-year term in the program, and more than 75 percent chose to renew their membership.
- Former EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt signed the first Performance Track Rule, which provides regulatory and administrative incentives to members.
- Administrator Leavitt met with state officials in October, 2004 to discuss their support for Performance Track and other performance-based programs. The meeting led to a state-by-state survey by the Environmental Council of the States and an action plan to implement recommendations.
- Performance Track created a new Corporate Leader designation to recognize companies that demonstrate an exceptional corporate-wide commitment to environmental stewardship and continuous improvement.
- Senior managers from EPA’s Office of Water and Performance Track met in September with 25 Performance Track members to share ideas on incentives. Performance Track also worked with the Office of Water to develop incentives tied to the review of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, and the effluent guideline planning process.
- Three EPA regions developed Performance Track
challenge goals, specific goals that members
may choose to adopt in order to help address regional
environmental
priorities. - Performance Track members reported another year of outstanding results, with especially significant reductions in energy and water use, the generation of solid waste, and emissions of hazardous air pollutants.
- Eighty-six percent of members reported that they are satisfied with the level of recognition they have received from Performance Track.
- Performance Track worked with its trade association Network Partners to build interest in Performance Track through workshops, articles in magazines, and coordinated communications. EPA signed an agreement with the American Chemistry Council and the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers’ Association to achieve closer collaboration between Performance Track and Responsible CareŽ.
- The Performance Track Participants Association (PTPA), an independent association for members of the program, held meetings and maintained ongoing communications with Administrator Leavitt and headquarters staff, EPA regional offices, and states to help build support for Performance Track.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the partnerships that Performance Track has forged with members, states, industry groups, and PTPA, all of which are working hard to build the program’s value to members and the environment. This year of growth and renewal for Performance Track has strengthened the program, added new incentives for facilities to go beyond compliance with environmental laws, and set the stage for a successful future.