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No question about it - environmental laws and regulations have measurably restored our nation’s land, air and water. As the population continues to grow, however, the demand for protecting natural resources by addressing environmental concerns is not likely to go away. Even full compliance with today’s environmental laws and regulations doesn’t necessarily guarantee the environmental quality that future generations deserve. So how do we encourage facilities to aim higher by exceeding their environmental compliance goals? How do we convince companies to do well by doing right?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s response was to create a voluntary program to recognize and reward private and public facilities that demonstrate strong environmental performance beyond current requirements. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, Performance Track members address environmental impacts that are not currently regulated. This includes reducing energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption.
Welcome New Members!
Performance Track has 469 members, including three from Maryland: Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors, Baltimore; PRIZIM Inc., Gaithersburg; and the newest member, Covanta Montgomery, Dickerson. Covanta Montgomery was welcomed into the program by EPA Administrator Steve Johnson at the Annual Performance Track Dinner on May 9, 2007.
How Does an Organization Join?
Performance Track applicants must meet a number of requirements including:
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Implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) that has been in place for at least one full cycle. This must be assessed by an independent party (e.g., an ISO 14001 registrar, Responsible Care auditor, or simply a qualified mentor or consultant).
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Follow an EMS set of procedures that assures that a facility is identifying and managing its environmental impacts, both regulated and unregulated, on an ongoing basis.
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Exhibit a history of sustained compliance and then set and meet additional quantitative environmental goals. These could be waste reduction targets or energy conservation goals, for instance.
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Remain in the program for three years as long as they continue to meet the program criteria, including annual reporting, and are encouraged to reapply at the end of the three years.
What are the Benefits?
Performance Track members are eligible for federal regulatory and administrative incentives. This may take the form of reduced inspection schedules and monitoring requirements. These, and proposed future incentives can be found on the Performance Track website at www.epa.gov/performancetrack. Members are also invited to an annual meeting with the EPA Administrator and regional networking meetings. The program sends letters to elected officials and places articles in trade journals and other publications announcing new members.
Who are the Maryland Members?
Covanta Montgomery Inc. - Covanta Montgomery Inc. operates the Montgomery County Resource Recovery Facility, a municipal waste-to-energy facility, on behalf of the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority and the Montgomery County Department of Public Works and Transportation. The facility is designed to handle up to 1,800 tons of municipal solid waste per day and generate up to 63 megawatts of clean renewable electricity while reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) by approximately 605,000 tons per year.
The facility now uses a fuel additive in its fleet vehicles to optimize fuel economy, increase engine efficiency, and minimize pollutant emissions. Fuel records indicate that the annual fuel usage has been reduced by at least 1,000 gallons per year, and that carbon monoxide emissions have decreased by approximately 500 pounds per year. The facility has also replaced regular fluorescent bulbs with low-mercury alternatives.
The Montgomery County Resource Recovery Facility’s Performance Track commitments include:
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Increasing boiler efficiency to reduce carbon monoxide emissions and downtime
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Evaluating solvent cleaning options to minimize or eliminate the use of hazardous materials
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Reconsidering antifreeze options to minimize or eliminate the use of ethylene glycol-based antifreeze
The corporation also plans to improve their storm water collection system. “We are committed to environmental excellence and having 15 facilities in this program, including our Montgomery County facility, is evidence to that commitment,” said Gary Thein, Vice President of Environmental Quality Management.
Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems and Sensors (MS2) - Lockheed became Maryland’s first Performance Track member in 2001 and successfully renewed their application in 2004. They achieved ISO 14001 (environmental) certification in 2001 and since then, maintain successful registration. MS2 Baltimore received a Businesses for the Bay Excellence award in 2002. The Baltimore facility designs, manufactures, and supports missile-launching systems. Their accomplishments include:
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Reducing hazardous and solid waste
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Eliminating Class III ozone depleting compounds
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Using low volatile organic compound paints and coatings
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Converting industrial space into green space by removing an above ground storage tank and creating a wild flower garden and natural grasses
According to Staff Environmental Engineer Harry J. Smith, “MS2 Baltimore has a firm commitment from all employees to pollution prevention and waste minimization, practiced daily.”
PRIZIM, Inc. - PRIZIM Inc. is a technical management consulting firm specializing in environmental, energy, and safety areas. The firm was accepted into the Performance Track program in 2006 and strives to practice what they preach.
In PRIZIM’s commercial office space, they have implemented a number of waste reduction practices, including:
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Purchasing products with reduced packaging and recycled content
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Replacing disposable utensils and coffee cups with reusable supplies
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Put in place practices to reduce the amount of office paper they use. For instance, staff is encouraged to minimize printing and to print double-sided. They also reuse documents that were printed or copied on one side before they recycle them.
To reduce energy use, PRIZIM has:
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Decreased the level of lighting
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Replaced existing bulbs with more energy efficient types
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Purchased energy efficient and EnergyStar products
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Provided education and training to employees on energy conservation practices, allowed telecommuting
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Located programmable thermostats in three different zones in the office space. This allows for temperatures to be set according to zone use, while ensuring that the thermostats remain at target settings for cooling and heating
PRIZIM leases their office space and has made recommendations to their landlord, such as the use of motion sensors for lighting to conserve energy in common spaces. PRIZIM purchases green energy and also plants trees to offset carbon emissions from business travel.
The firm mandates environmentally friendly funds among the corporate 401(k) options, and piloted a personal environmental management system (EMS) for employees to make environmental progress while ‘off the clock.’ “Obviously we are very proud of our environmental accomplishments and hope that our work can somehow help inspire others to do more,” said company President Frank Priznar. “We are always willing to help.”
Application Deadlines
As Bradley Googin, Director of Boston College’s Center for Corporate Citizenship, has said, “No company has ever complied itself to excellence.” Make this the year your facility reaps the benefits of doing well by doing right.
Applications are accepted twice a year: April 1-May 31, and September 1-October 31. For more information, visit the EPA website: www.epa.gov/performancetrack or direct questions to Marie Holman, EPA’s Region III Performance Track contact, at 215-814-5463, holman.marie@epa.gov.
EMS implementation is the cornerstone for the Performance Track program. Maryland facilities interested in implementing EMSs can contact MDE about its free EMS Implementation Program. Information can be found here.
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