Regional Environmental Management Systems Partnerships

Transcription

1 Regional Environmental Management Systems Partnerships Taking The Benefits Beyond The Fence Line 2007 DoD/EPA/States Region III Environmental Colloquium October 31, 2007 Jimmy Parrish Defense Supply Center Richmond (804)

2 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) EMS Is A Structured Approach For Managing Environmental Responsibilities EMS Benefits Include: Cost Savings (Increased Efficiency, Reduced Costs, Operational Consistency) Greater Comfort Regarding Regulatory Compliance Cleaner Environment Improved Mission-Readiness 2

3 The Challenge EMSs Are Good, But Stakeholders Have Concerns/Skepticism: DoD: Ineffective Paper-Mountains Cities And Counties: Costly Regulators: Undermining Command & Control How To Overcome Concerns /Skepticism/ Barriers? 3

4 The Solution: Regional Environmental Management Systems (REMS) REMS Take EMS Framework One Step Further REMS Partnerships Engage EMSs Of Public And Private Organizations Improve Communication And Create Trust Allow For EMS Best Practices Sharing Target Measurable Regional Environmental Priorities 4

5 Virginia Regional Environmental Management System What Is It? Includes More Than 50 Federal, State, And Local Public And Private Organizations That Collaborate To Address And Resolve Individual And Regional Community And Environmental Issues Through An Innovative Partnership Approach. Started By The Defense Supply Center Richmond In

6 Diversity of V-REMS Participants DoD and Federal Facilities Cities and Counties Private Industry Defense Supply Center Richmond USMC Base Quantico U.S. Army, Fort Lee, Fort A.P. Hill Virginia Army National Guard U.S. Navy Langley Air Force Base Federal Highway Administration City of Richmond City of Hopewell Chesterfield County Richmond Regional Planning District (MPO) Tyson Foods Honeywell Philip Morris Wal-Mart Regulatory Agencies Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III 6

7 Address Local And Regional Community And Environmental Priorities V-REMS Objectives Improve Communication, Trust, And Support Between Regional Stakeholders Continual Process Achieve On The Ground Results More Efficiently Than Any Existing Mechanism (Metrics) Leverage Resources ($$ And In-Kind) And Share Best Practices And 7 Information

8 Process Evolution Initial Formation, Communication, And Best Practices Sharing Ongoing - Collective Targeting Of Regional Sustainability Priorities City City Federal Facility Private Company Federal Facility Private Company State DEQ Communication Trust/Relationship Building Best Practices Sharing County State DEQ Partners Collectively Target Economic, Environmental, & Social/Equity Issues County Private Company Military Installation Private Company Military Installation Township Township 8

9 The Process Itself Regular Communication Between Partners Monthly Phone Calls & 3-4 Meetings Annually Workgroups Form To Focus On Specific Initiatives Reporting And Metrics V-REMS Website Communication And Outreach Tool (Includes Intranet) Neutral Facilitator Sponsored By DSCR Staffs Partnership Needs Level Of Partner Effort Hrs/Month 9

10 Priorities And Initiatives 10,000 Foot Level: Support VA Commonwealth And EPA Region III Priorities Support CEQ Sustainability Objectives (Executive Order 13423) Support Environmental Council of States (ECOS)/DoD Task Force Objectives 10

11 Accomplishments Environmental Improvement Partnership Won EPA Clean School Bus USA Grant Worth $274,000 Plus $14,000 In Partner Contributions Partnership Awarded Department Of Energy Grant To Fund Up To 12 E-85 Fueling Stations For A Total Effort Of $767,000 City of Richmond, National Guard, And DSCR Reduced Ozone Emissions By Switching To Low-VOC Paint Cost Savings Hopewell Wastewater Increased Revenue By $500,000 And Reduced Stormwater Pollution Through Shared Best Practices And Workgroup Communications Partners Saved Over $470,000 Annually In Lighting Efficiencies Community Recognition DSCR Won 2005 White House Closing the Circle Award and 2005 Chesapeake Businesses for the Bay Excellence Awards VREMS Wins 2007 Businesses For The Bay s Partner Of The Year Award 11

12 Initiatives Ground Level: Reduce Stormwater Runoff Via Bio-Filtration Units E85 12

13 Initiatives Ground Level: Test And Verify NOx Absorbing Surface Treatment Awarded National Defense Center of Environmental Excellence Grant Pursue Land Use Buffers As A Means Of Land Conservation Electronics 13

14 Benefits To Operations Improved Relationships With Surrounding Communities Strong Regional Support For Mission Increased Awareness Of Value To Community Local, State, And National Recognition Improved Environmental Management Operational Efficiencies And Cost Savings 14

15 Benefit To Partners Leverages Resources (over $1MM in 2006) And Expertise Establishes A Positive Framework For Dialogue On Regional Issues Improves Information Exchange And Environmental Best Practices Sharing, Leading To Cost-Effective Environmental Management Provides Needed Tools To Address Individual And Regional Environmental, Social, And Economic Issues 15

16 Keys To REMS Success Partners Focus On Individual And Regional Goals Emphasizes Building Trust Across Partners Includes State And Federal Regulatory Agency Participation And Endorsement Relies On An Informal Participation Process Promotes Creative And Innovative Voluntary Approaches To (Environmental) Challenges 16

17 Keys To REMS Success Builds A Solid Business Case For Partners Regarding Their Own Environmental Initiatives Allows Participants To Take Various Leadership Roles Acknowledges Experience And Work Of Partners Measures And Tracks The Partnership s Progress Benefits From The Support Of Neutral Facilitator 17

18 Future Challenges Maintain Focus On Individual And Regional Goals Emphasize Building Trust Across Partners Keep The Process Informal Promote Creative And Innovative Voluntary Approaches To (Environmental) Challenges Replicate The Model USMC Camp Pendleton USMC Camp Lejeune Dow Chemical (In Place) 18

19 RMS Approach: Replicable Success Regional Management Systems A Transferable Process Unique To Particular Region And Partner Organizations Can Be Championed By Public And Private Organizations Demonstrates Quantifiable Performance Improvement Results Oriented Operationalizes Mission Sustainability 19

20 Contact Contact With Questions: Jimmy Parrish (DSCR) 20