Many businesses are seeking more efficient ways of meeting their environmental goals and managing their resources, while the public is increasingly aware of environmental issues and expects aggressive action to assure a healthful environment. To maximize the effectiveness of voluntary efforts to reduce adverse environmental impacts, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has embarked on a program that features multi-media (air, land and water) environmental management systems (EMSs). AB 1102, passed by the legislature in 1999, authorized up to 8 EMS pilot projects to explore the effectiveness of EMSs. Authorization for the pilot projects ended January 1, 2002, with a final report due to the legislature on this phase of the program and CalEPA's recommendations for further research.
While laws, rules and regulations have made great progress toward attaining a clean, healthful environment, the limits of their effectiveness is becoming apparent. Many pollutants and sources of pollution simply don't lend themselves to regulation. Others are outside the jurisdiction of the regulatory agencies or are exempt from regulation. Many regulations are complex; some are in conflict with others. EMSs show promise for facilitating meeting regulatory requirements as well as addressing non-regulated environmental impacts.
An EMS can be prepared to suit any size or kind of organization and tailored to the needs of that entity. It requires a policy that includes strong commitment and leadership, specific targets or goals, assignment of responsibilities, appropriate training throughout, and adequate resources. An EMS integrates an organization's environmental policy, with its EMS plan and implementation measures, into the fabric of its overall management and operations. The environmental impact of every aspect of the facility's operation is identified. Documentation must be complete and readily available, and the process must be transparent. Companies must commit to continual improvement. While EMSs are expensive to install, costs can be recovered by greater efficiency of operation and resource use, pollution prevention, and waste reduction. EMSs are subject to audit and, if they meet the standards of the organization requiring the EMS, are duly certified.
As the model for its pilot projects, CalEPA selected the International Organization for Standardization's ISO 14001 EMS, the EMS most widely used in the U.S. and globally. AB 1102 required that the pilot projects' EMSs enhance public health and environmental protection over and above all regulatory requirements, an addition to the ISO 14001 standards, and include pollution prevention, public information and education. Project EMSs were also required to reduce energy and water consumption, generation of solid and hazardous waste, and health and safety risks to employees.
CalEPA selected 7 applicants for pilot projects:
In its report to the legislature, CalEPA noted improved performance of the pilot project facilities due wholly or in part to the development and implementation of EMSs. Compliance with regulatory standards increased significantly, as shown by fewer citations. Environmental performance went well beyond legal requirements, and significant improvements were made in areas where there are no legal requirements, such as energy consumption, solid waste generation, and fresh water use. The quality and quantity of information available to the public was substantially increased as a result of the implementation of EMSs, and community stakeholders consider this information to be highly valuable.
CalEPA found that EMSs developed without input from government agencies, community representatives, and other stakeholders tend to focus on compliance and internal business needs. EMSs developed with external input focus on environmental performance as well as compliance and are of greater community and public value. Working partnerships of government, communities, and business do not arise spontaneously, but must be promoted, nurtured, and provided with training and even financial support. Small and medium-size facilities may lack technical and financial resources and require more external help than large facilities.
Companies entered the pilot program to achieve the economic benefits that would result from better environmental performance and improved community relations, to achieve good relationships with governmental entities and with their communities, and to prepare for future environmental requirements. The expectation of regulatory concessions or reduced oversight by regulators were not factors motivating companies to join pilot projects.
To continue the EMS program, CalEPA has identified areas that need further action, some of which will require legislation:
Adelia Sabiston
For more information: Jennifer Smith Grubb, CalEPA, 510-540-3315; http://www.calepa.ca.gov/ems
