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2008 Symposium on Innovating Sustainable Results Harnessing the Power of Performance-Based Programs To Address Climate Change and Energy Issues Daniel Murray Assistant Commissioner, Office of Air Quality IN Dept. of Environmental Management. Program Goals.
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2008 Symposium on Innovating Sustainable Results Harnessing the Power of Performance-Based Programs To Address Climate Change and Energy Issues Daniel Murray Assistant Commissioner, Office of Air Quality IN Dept. of Environmental Management
ProgramGoals • Encourage use of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) as means to identify environmental aspects of operations and increase compliance levels • Promote continuous environmental improvement • Focus limited state resources on those facilities not proactively managing their environmental responsibilities
Continuous Improvement =Better Environment, Better Business • Program creates formal state mechanism that encourages entities to allocate limited resources towards programs and projects that produce positive environmental results. • Recognition and Regulatory Flexibility Incentives make business case for joining voluntary program by providing “carrots” and time needed to maintain EMS and implement continuous improvement initiatives. • Through an effective EMS and commitment to continuous environmental improvement, sources decrease their impact on the environment and increase efficiency, becoming better, more stable Indiana businesses.
Basis for Program • Program based on EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track Program • Entities desiring to belong to both IDEM’s and EPA’s program will only have to complete EPA’s application • Legislation establishing authority for program has been passed – IC 12-27-8-3 • Final adoption of state rules completed 6/07.
Eligibility Determination Indiana Environmental Stewards must have: • Satisfactory Compliance Record • Effective Environmental Management System • Commitment to Continuous Environmental Improvement
Continuous Environmental Improvement Component • Members must commit to at least one approved environmentally beneficial project each year • Project categories modeled after NEPT • Project commensurable with size and sophistication of member facility
ESP Value to IDEM • Encourage regulated community to adopt continuous improvement approach to managing their environmental footprint, moving beyond basic compliance as the goal. • Free up resources to spend more time on those facilities that need increased oversight and those our agency rarely visits, if at all. • Address Indiana’s environmental challenges by partnering with those that promote environmental stewardship.
Producing Results:Climate Change & Energy Issues • Indiana has not aggressively pursued GHG reductions or program development • Current activity – IN signed on as observer in Midwest Governor’s Assoc. GHG Accord to monitor development of cap and trade program. • Despite this, the Environmental Stewardship Program is producing results.
Producing Results: Nearly half of the 34 ESP members committed to GHG and/or energy reduction initiatives totaling: • Reduction of 17,750 metric tons of coal equivalent • 640 metric tons of CO2 • 1,332 tons GHG
Keys to Success: • Assist members with opportunity assessments Help them find what you want found • Allow members to choose commitments that are important to their organization • Incentivize to produce results of importance to your state (e.g. NEPT Challenge Commitments) • Tap into resources designed to promote or work with EPBPs such as DOE, SBEAPs, grants and loans programs
IDEM - ESP Contact Information Stacey Martindale – Leadership Programs Mgr.(317) 233-5554, e-mail: smartind@idem.in.gov Rick Bossingham – Assistant Commissioner, OPPTA (317) 233-6658, e-mail:rbossing@idem.in.gov Dan Murray – Assistant Commissioner, OAQ(317) 232-8222, e-mail: dmurray@idem.in.gov