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Sector Strategies Connector

Archives

Third Edition, June 2005

Headlines

Introduction

Last week, the Sector Strategies Program hosted a meeting of our sector representatives with senior officials from EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. This was the second in a series of multi-sector dialogue sessions with Agency program managers -- the first was held in March with the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. These informal policy dialogues provide a forum for participants to share information on key priorities and initiatives, present updates on current collaborative efforts, and generate ideas on flexible and innovative ways to achieve better results.

We had a great turnout at the OAR meeting, and appreciate the active participation of so many sector representatives and EPA managers and staff. A constructive tone was set early in the proceedings through opening remarks by Amy Blankenbiller, speaking for the sector group, and OAR senior managers Steve Page, Margo Oge, and Sam Napolitano, as well as our own Associate Administrator, Stephanie Daigle.

The dialogue session focused on several topics of mutual interest and activity. We started with a review of the recently issued Clean Air Act Advisory Committee's AQM recommendations. The discussion then turned to four priority initiatives: the area source program, the residual risk program, the Clean Air Interstate Rule's industrial opt-in provision, and the National Clean Diesel Campaign. Each of these topics provided an opportunity for meeting participants to "compare notes" and ask questions, but also to float ideas and suggestions. Many speakers emphasized the need for flexible approaches, backed by strong supporting data and leading to actions that address the needs of all major stakeholder groups.

The Sector Strategies Program has work underway in each of these areas. Our sector partnerships offer opportunities to add value through policy analysis, stakeholder interaction, strategic planning, and performance measurement. Constructive dialogue sessions help to maintain the momentum of the Agency's collaborative program work. Thanks to all who participated last week!

Bob Benson
Director, Sector Strategies Program
EPA Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation

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Memorandum of Understanding with States on Proper Disposal of Waste Paint in the Paint and Coatings Sector

The Environmental Protection Agency has joined the ranks of 45 state and local agencies, the National Paint and Coatings Association (representing 90% of the paint manufacturing industry), major national retailers (including Lowes), and other stakeholders in this promising product stewardship initiative. The goal for the MOU is to bring key stakeholders together to implement a $1 million collaborative research program and to explore the development of a nationally coordinated collection and financing system for leftover paint. So far, nearly $800,000 has been committed, with significant contributions from the paint industry, state and local agencies. For more information, call Barry Elman at 202-566-2958.

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Track, Analyze, and Benchmark Campus-Wide Environmental Performance in the College and University Sector

The College and University Sector's Performance Measurement Workgroup developed a new online tool that enables schools to collect and analyze data on campus-wide environmental impacts — specifically: energy use, hazardous waste generated, solid waste/recycling, and water consumption. Colleges can identify and analyze performance trends in an easy-to-use format. The tool also enables universities to benchmark their environmental indicators against aggregated data from other schools of similar size and type. School names are kept confidential.

All colleges and universities are invited to input data. To date, 21 schools have registered. The online tool is maintained by the Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence Exit EPA Disclaimer. Only colleges and universities who register have access to the site. For more information, call Peggy Bagnoli at 202-566-2957.

Important Notice: The Sector's Performance Measurement Workgroup encourages interested colleges to have a senior representative of their Environmental Health and Safety Department register to use this self-tracking Tool. Only one person can register initially on behalf of a college (and it doesn't matter who!), so school officials should register before faculty members or students sign-up to use the site.

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New Tools to Help Steelmakers Enhance Environmental Management in the Iron and Steel Sector

EPA and the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) are partnering on a program of training and technical resources to help steelmakers implement Environmental Management Systems (EMS). SMA members produce steel by melting scrap metal and other iron-bearing materials in electric arc furnaces. These steel "mini- mills" produce more than half of all new U.S. steel, mostly by recycling scrap steel. The comprehensive environmental management approach taken with an EMS provides a sound framework for pursuing improved environmental performance.

Currently, about one-third of steelmakers that use electric arc furnaces have implemented an EMS. EPA's Sector Strategies Program and SMA have developed technical tools to increase EMS use within the industry. A new EMS implementation guide for electric arc furnace facilities outlines the essential elements of an EMS, gives detailed guidance on satisfying each element, and highlights examples from the steelmaking industry. A companion tool, an EMS template, provides mills with a model for building an EMS that is suitable for their operations and goals.

EPA and SMA released these new tools on May 18th in Washington, D.C. at a jointly-sponsored workshop: "Solidifying Iron & Steel Environmental Management Systems." Representatives of over 30 mini-mills learned how an EMS can help enhance their pollution prevention and compliance; how to make the EMS business case to top management; and how to apply the new EMS guidelines and template to create an EMS or enhance an existing one.

For more information about the EMS implementation guide, template, or training, contact Tom Tyler (tyler.tom@epa.gov) at (202) 566-2969. As with other sector-based EMS tools produced by Sector Strategies and sector partners, the guide and template will soon be available.

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Fostering Environmental Stewardship Through Supply Chain Relationships in the Metal Finishing Sector

In New England, United Technologies Corporation (UTC) is leading an effort to include environmental health and safety requirements in their business contracts at the same level of importance as product quality, cost, and timeliness. Hamilton Sundstrand, a UTC business, has surveyed 600 suppliers on environmental health and safety issues in an effort to help them reach UTC's EH&S performance levels. EPA Region 1 has worked with Hamilton Sundstrand and Pratt & Whitney, another UTC company, to sponsor EMS training for suppliers, using the EMS Implementation Guide for Metal Finishing Facilities, developed by the Sector Strategies partnership with the metal finishing industry.

Environmental and economic benefits already are being achieved — one company did a complete lighting retrofit that will reduce their energy costs by 30% and replaced their air compression system with one that will supply twice the capacity and cost $10,000 less to run per year. For more information on this Region 1 corporate stewardship initiative, contact Linda Darveau at 617-918-1718.

The Sector Strategies Program is now exploring ways to expand this model to other supply chains and locations as a means to promote EMS development in our participating sectors. For information on this initiative, call Robin Kime at 202-566-1961.

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Connect with Us

You can contact staff liaisons for each sector directly — they serve as an expert resource on environmental issues for their sectors. Here's a list of our sector liaisons:

Cross-sector contacts:

 

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