EPA New England's Center for Environmental Industry and Technology (CEIT)

New England Interstate Regulatory Cooperation Project

The New England Interstate Regulatory Cooperation Project was an innovative federal/state partnership which provided an opportunity for federal and state environmental agencies to work cooperatively with the private sector in expediting the development and evaluation of promising innovative environmental technologies. Key government partners in this project included EPA-New England through its Center for Environmental Industry and Technology and the Environment Committee of the New England Governors' Conference which is comprised of the six State Environmental Commissioners. On July 16, 1996, the New England Governors adopted a resolution endorsing and supporting regional efforts to promote interstate regulatory cooperation. This resolution set the stage for a series of technology agreements to be developed and implemented by the state environmental agencies.

Septic System Technologies
The Septic System Technologies agreement was signed in September 1996. It implemented a Regional Evaluation Program for Septic System Technologies which was carried out under the auspices of the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC). As part of this program, the six New England States adopted a common protocol that standardized the type of information required for permitting approval. For technologies that took part in the program, an Advisory Opinion was issued that provides guidance on the performance and cost of that technology. Advisory Opinions were issued on seven individual technologies. To access the Advisory Opinions, visit www.neiwpcc.org [Click on Wastewater and Onsite Systems, then on Onsite Systems (Task Force)].

Site Characterization and Monitoring Technologies
In March, 1998, a second technology agreement on waste site assessment and cleanup technologies for smaller sites was signed by the six New England States and the Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA). In concert with industry input, an action plan was developed. Key features of this action plan included activities that would increase and improve information sharing and education for state and local personnel; promote broader acceptance of field analytical technologies for site characterization and monitoring; and address institutional barriers that impede the use of these newer technologies. The states issued Advisory Opinions on immunoassay, x-ray fluorescence, and gas chromotography field analyses, and diffusion bag samplers. To access the Advisory Opinions, visit www.newmoa.org/Newmoa/htdocs/cleanup/advisory.cfm