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Red carpets, flashing lights, adoring fans, tabloid press, radio, TV, Howard Stern, Oprah… This is not what the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) means by multi-media coverage. In MDE-speak, multi-media means air, water and land resources. These are the environmental media that we work to protect through the implementation of laws and regulations developed over the years. These laws and regulations guide us in accomplishing our mission: to protect and restore the environment for future generations.
“Many of our customers are not aware that one of the main components of the department’s mission is to educate our clients and the public on their affect on the environment,” according to MDE Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick. “We show them how to reduce pollution and restore impairments.”
Multi-Media Meetings – Waste, Water, Air
MDE’s Customer Service Center is in the business of assisting current and potential clients to understand their effect on these media. Client interest usually starts at the permitting process for a company considering moving to Maryland. Other customers include companies with existing permits or considering adding a process that are alerted by an MDE inspector that their operations affect another media. Any of these situations could trigger the need for a multi-media meeting with appropriate representatives from MDE’s administrations: the Air and Radiation Management Administration, Water Management Administration and Waste Management Administration. Sometimes a representative from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development joins the meeting to inform clients of additional grant or loan opportunities applicable to the situation.
During the meeting, the company usually makes a short presentation on what they do. Then MDE’s media experts ask questions to determine the environmental impacts of the company’s operations. An assessment is made of the regulations that apply to the particular situation, then explained to the client. Any questions not answered at the meeting will be addressed later. Information on the necessary permits, licenses or certifications is provided during the meeting - this includes the standard turnaround times for relevant permits. Applications are also available to the client.
Avoid Paying Loot - Don’t Pollute!
Another advantage that regulated entities receive by arranging a multi-media meeting is the opportunity to learn of ways to avoid invoking the regulatory process altogether. These include pollution prevention strategies to reduce or eliminate pollution before it is generated so treatment is not necessary. MDE’s resident pollution prevention expert Laura Armstrong reflects, “In many situations, pollution prevention (P2) is a very viable alternative. P2 not only eliminates pollution, but also the need to apply for some permits. I have seen many industries reduce their environmental obligations substantially by applying simple pollution prevention techniques.”
If your company would like to set up a multi-media meeting with MDE, please contact the Customer Service Center at (410) 537-3772.
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