Outline of Current State P2 Efforts in Region 8
Here's a quick overview of current state pollution prevention projects in the
region. For more information on these and other projects in Region 8, read the
Proceedings from the 2004 P2 Roundtable at:
../network /roundtable/2004/
Colorado
|| Montana - MSU || Montana DEQ || North
Dakota || South Dakota || Utah || Wyoming
Colorado
DPHE Sustainability Program:
- Agency-wide EMS – Continued the “plan-do-review-improve”
cycle outlined in the agency-wide EMS. A reduction in the amount of water,
energy and resources used as well as waste produced has been reported.
- EMS template for asphalt pavers - In partnership with the Colorado Asphalt
Pavement Association and 25 companies, the template was created to provide
compliance assistance (especially in terms of storm water regulations) and
improve permit accuracy. Dubbed the “COMET” project, this is an
extension of the COMPASS project started a couple of years ago.
- EMS Permit Pilot Project – Dealing with the aerospace, semi-conductor,
and livestock industries initially, this voluntary program incorporates permits
and permit requirements into the framework of an EMS. It is expected to improve
management and integration of regulatory requirements, procedures, and record
keeping. The project is also expected to produce performance-based measurements
of reduced environmental impacts in those industries.
- Environmental Leadership Program – Provides continued recognition
and reward for environmental leaders in the state. The program features both
a gold and silver tier and provides coordination with EPA’s Performance
Track program.
- Cross-media compliance/P2 assistance – Staff from Air, Consumer, Sustainability,
Waste, and Water Divisions performed site visits for auto salvage, mercury
switches, corrections, surface coating and auto body facilities.
- Cross Media Enforcement Team - Reviews, improves and develops departmental
enforcement policies. This service helps incorporate P2 and sustainability
principles into policies, approaches, training and tools for enforcement.
- Mercury Environmental Problem Solving Team – Staff from Sustainability,
Air, Waste and Water worked as a team to formulate cross-media approaches
to reducing mercury releases including those from auto switches, thermostats,
thermometers and dental mercury. They developed outreach documents and environmental
performance metrics for mercury collected and recycled.
- Energy Efficiency (E2) / Environment Partners – Provided free E2 assessments
for facilities referred by environmental inspectors. Another cross-media effort,
the assessments are funded by the Department of Energy. They have produced
E2 identification and training materials, site-specific assessment reports,
and project metrics based on recommendations implemented.
Future plans:
- Environmentally preferable purchasing for state agencies
- Exchange network for industrial waste
- Rural chemical roundup (farms, ranches, schools)
- Hands-on EMS training for Environmental Leadership Awardees
- Cooperative environmental project with Williams Oil and Gas
- Partner with Ute Tribes to determine how to leverage resources between
tribal and state P2 program
- Develop measures/indicators for department focusing on outcomes vs. outputs
- Create Hospitals for Healthy Environment opportunities in Colorado
- Use EU ban on lead in electronics (2006) as a motivation to reduce or eliminate
lead in electronic equipment manufacturers (14 in CO, ~40 in Region 8)
- Provide training in lean manufacturing techniques to Environmental Leadership
companies
MSU Extension
Montana Pollution Prevention Program
- STAR Program – trains students in collision repair vocational programs
about techniques and equipment that improve transfer efficiency.
- Montana Materials Exchange – On-line material reuse listing program.
Users can submit their materials for listing or search for materials they
can use.
- Computer Recycling – Developed on-line listing and description of
potential sources to recycle/reuse computers for the Montana area.
- P2 in the restaurant industry – Provide P2-related materials to restaurants
in conjunction with the ServeSafe Training and Certification Program required
for all restaurant operators.
- Electric Vehicle Retrofit Project – Contributed to testing and demonstration
of a converted gas to electric and solar powered service vehicle developed
by the Montana Transportation Center and MSU Technology Education Program.
- EcoStar Program – Recognizes businesses implementing P2. There is
a special focus on homebuilders in partnership with the Montana Building Industry
Association.
- Landfarm Plastics Research Project – Research project with MSU Soil
Science Department to determine moisture retention, thermal benefit and other
attributes of shredded PETE and HDPE plastic as a soil amendment.
- Lewis & Clark P2 Youth Program – A series of 18 collector’s
cards teach P2 principles through comparison of methods and practices used
by Lewis and Clark.
- P2 and Homeland Security – In partnership with Montana Homeland Security
Taskforce, placed P2 information on the state homeland security web site.
- P2U (University) – Providing P2 assessment and P2 information to
all Montana higher education campuses.
- Mercury thermostat recovery program – Collect mercury thermostats
and replace with non-mercury programmable thermostats through the Montana
Low-Income Weatherization Program.
- Montana Green Parks – Developing outreach to state and local park
operations including P2 assessment opportunities, workshops and reference
guide.
- EnergyStar Verifier – Partnership with National Center for Appropriate
Technology to offer training for those interested in rating EnergyStar Homes.
- Consumer P2 – Public Kiosk – Development of a touch-pad interactive
kiosk for users to determine home environmental risks for seven factors.
Planned Projects
- Tribal P2 Leadership Consortium – Formed consortium of seven Montana
tribes to define long-term P2 interests and needs for potential funding and
strategic planning.
- Household Battery Recovery/Recycling Program – Pilot program to explore
sustainable cost and feasibility of statewide battery collection program.
Montana
DEQ Pollution Prevention Bureau
- Revised Integrated Waste Management Plan – Formed a 26-member stakeholders
task force to study the 1994 plan and make recommendations for improvement.
Three public hearings were held in Missoula, Great Falls, and Billings. Updated
recycling and composting goals were submitted to the 2005 legislative session.
- Mobile Glass Pulverizer – Identified partners and funding to purchase
this equipment. The pulverizer will be rotated throughout the state producing
glass cullet for road base, landscaping, drain back fill and septic systems.
- Landfill Tonnage and Recycling Survey – Surveyed Montana landfills,
recyclers and composters to determine the amount of recycling currently being
accomplished in Montana.
- Economic Impact of Recycling – Produced a study on the economic benefits
of recycling on Montana’s economy in partnership with city and county
government, landfills, and recyclers.
- Recycling Market Development Guide – Produced an informational guide
for individuals considering starting a recycling operation (with Department
of Commerce).
- Ethanol Education Outreach – Developed a marketing campaign for state
motor pool users and citizens to increase distribution and sale of ethanol
blended fuels and biodiesel in Montana.
- Public Outreach Events – Promoted and recognized P2 Week, America
Recycles Day and Earth Day to state agencies, public schools and the general
public.
- EMS Guide for Small Businesses – Developed an informational guide
for developing and measuring an EMS focused on Montana businesses.
- Business and Community Assistance Program (BCA) & Asbestos Program
PSA’s – Developed two 30-second TV PSAs to publicize DEQ programs
Asbestos PSA’s will be released in Spring 2005.
- Asbestos Insulation Weatherization – Demonstration project to weatherize
low-income housing containing asbestos insulation in partnership with Human
Resource Development Council.
- Laboratory Chemicals in Schools – Developed and conducted an inventory
of chemicals contained within the laboratories of Montana public schools.
- Rest Stops – Analyzed P2 opportunities for pollution prevention and
energy efficient practices to be used in building new and remodeled highway
rest areas.
- Montana Children’s Environmental Health Network – Participated
in multi-agency working group to address a variety of environmental issues
affecting children. Some outreach materials were developed.
Planned Projects
- EMS Training for Montana small businesses with Montana Manufacturing Extension
Program
- Hospital Compliance/P2/E2 Outreach
- Green cleaning and gardening brochure for consumers and businesses
- Discovery Center Collaboration with US Forest Service to determine green
building strategies
- Exploration Works collaboration with City of Helena and Department of Transportation
to identify green building strategies for children’s learning center.
- Best Stove Technology brochure (wood burning stoves)
- Recycled Products Directory update
- Wood stove exchange program for Libby, MT in partnership with the EPA and
other sections at the DEQ
North
Dakota Department of Health P2 Program
- Environmental Management Training for State Parks – Conducted P2 assessments
in three state parks and provided compliance and P2 training to 26 state park
employees.
- Nutrient Management – Assisted agricultural operations in developing
and implementing nutrient management plans.
- Materials Exchange Program – Developed the structure for a North
Dakota material exchange web site.
- Project Safe Send – Safely collected and disposed of 129,994 pounds
of agricultural chemicals that were outdated, unidentified, and/or banned
chemicals.
- Fleet Maintenance P2 – Provided a toolkit of best management practices
to the Department of Transportation, State Fleet Maintenance and County Highway
Departments.
- Jamestown Wastewater Methane Collection – Demonstration project to
evaluate a potential methane gas collection and utilization project. Partners
include: City of Jamestown, University of North Dakota Energy and Environmental
Research Center and a local potato processing plant.
Planned Projects:
- Promoting environmental stewardship through state parks (for visitors and
employees).
- Increase the quantity of organic waste materials utilized by community
biomass programs.
- South Dakota Forest BMP Training and Audit – Partnered with other
DENR divisions, universities, federal public land agencies, and timber associations
to provide training in best management practices to the timber industry. Concentrated
on minimizing erosion and pollution to nearby lakes and streams. Two workshops
were conducted, six timber sale sites were audited, and a revised BMP guide
was distributed. Monitoring and development continues.
- Arsenic in Drinking Water – Provided water systems and private well
owners with a cost effective method of arsenic remediation from drinking water
at the source in partnership with the Drinking Water Program and South Dakota
School of Mines and Technology.
- Source Reduction for the Livestock Industry – Provides livestock
producers with animal production waste reduction strategies to prevent surface
and ground water pollution and meet regulatory requirements. The program “Managing
Manure for Profit and the Environment” is a result of this project.
A workgroup of university and resource management professionals and commodity
group representatives coordinate activities.
- Fecal Coliform Strain Identification – Developed an affordable reliable
protocol to identify fecal coliform bacteria strains by species of origin
including an antibiotic resistance analysis “library” to identify
strains originating from humans, cattle, swine, sheep, poultry, dogs and cats.
- Small City Storm Water P2 – Developed P2-based model for storm water
management for small municipalities. Conducted workshops for local government
staff in the cities of Sturgis and Aberdeen.
- Water and Wastewater Utility Security Training – Provided assistance
in developing training materials for use at workshops. A video was developed
in partnership with SD Public Broadcasting and three workshops were conducted
for system operators.
Planned Projects:
- P2 for State Parks
- Stormwater P2 Plan/BMP Workshops
Utah Department
of Environmental Quality P2 Program
- EMS Certification and Training – Training was obtained and provided
to Utah agencies and regional groups looking to develop an EMS. Goal is to
obtain ISO auditor’s certification.
- Clean Utah!/EMS Audits – This performance partnership program recognizes
and provides incentives to Utah businesses for environmental performance and
going beyond compliance.
- Mountain Recreation – Continued work with mountain recreation areas
to educate and implement best management practices for golf, lodging and ski
area operations. Provided on-going technical assistance and training opportunities.
http://utmtngroup.utah.gov/
- Collaboration Summit – September 7-9, 2004 Conference to develop
an environmentally-focused partnership among local, state and federal land
management agencies.
- Utah P2 Association – Group of Utah business and industry and local
governments works to promote P2 as the preferred environmental approach.
- Mercury Recovery – Campaign in partnership with Smith’s and
Salt Lake Valley HD and with Granite District schools providing digital thermometers
in exchange for mercury thermometers. The exchange was free and included proper
disposal of mercury thermometers.
Planned Projects:
- EMS in schools
- Mercury switches in auto salvage
- EMS in agriculture
- Children’s Environmental Health Summit
- P2 Measurement
Wyoming
Department of Environmental Quality P2 Program
- On-site P2 Assessments for Small Businesses – Provides individual
on-site P2 assessments and assistance to small businesses to implement P2
practices. Mid-America Manufacturing Association is a partner.
- School Chemistry Lab P2 – Provided P2 assessments for labs and assisted
in safe handling and disposal of unnecessary chemicals while initiating P2
practices.
- State and Local Parks P2 – Performed on-site assessments in Wyoming
Parks, participated in planning for Parks P2 toolbox and will plan to promote
this project at the next Wyoming Parks and Recreation Association meeting.
- Rural Road and Coal Mine Particulate Matter P2 – Identified and monitored
sources of fugitive dust and particulate matter potentially affecting ambient
air quality in NE Wyoming from extensive development of road systems to surface
mining and oil/gas industries. Developed guidelines to reduce PM 10 and 2.5
generation at the source and provided documentation of ambient air quality
and reductions possible through P2. Partners include: Converse Area New Development
Organization, coal, oil and gas industry representatives, road maintenance
agencies and Bureau of Land Management.
Planned Projects:
- Small business on-site P2 assessments
- Oil and gas drilling P2
- State and local Parks P2 project
- Hybrid electric vehicle P2 Project
Peaks
to Prairies P2 Information Center
- Agricultural P2 Projects Database – Searchable database includes
descriptions of P2-related agricultural programs in the region with contact
information and funding sources. peakstoprairies.org/p2bande/agprojects/
- Region 8 Network – Providing information exchange among the region’s
P2 assistance providers through semi-monthly conference calls, annual roundtable
planning, P2 list serve and a web site. peakstoprairies.org/network/roundtable/
- P2 News Digest – Identifying and collecting P2 news from around the
region and national news about regional issues. News is displayed on the web
site and circulated to the list serve. News is also available as a “news
feed” that can be picked up by anyone looking for syndicated environmental
news on the internet. peakstoprairies.org/network/news/
- P2Rx Topic Hubs – Web-based resources offering basic information
and a collection of cataloged links about various topics. All topic hubs are
displayed on the regional web site; several are authored and maintained by
the Center. peakstoprairies.org/topichub/
- Rapid Response Network/Help Desk – People searching for information
on the web often have questions they can’t find the answer to. With
access to an extensive P2 hard-copy library, state, regional and national
experts, the Center offers to do some of the legwork. peakstoprairies.org/library/researchassistance.cfm
- Programs Directory – Searchable database of information about organizations
doing P2-related work in the region. Regional information is uploaded to a
national programs directory. peakstoprairies.org/Directory/
- Homes Across America – Showcase for new technologies and resource
efficient homes. Also provides contact information for technical assistance
in each state. homes-across-america.org
- Tribal P2 Web Site – In partnership with the NPPR Tribal work group,
the Center is designing and developing a web portal to tribal pollution prevention
information. www.tribalp2.org
- EnviroRangers Web Club for Kids – On-line activities and games teach
kids age 8-14 learn about pollution prevention. The site also provides resources
for teachers. envirorangers.montana.edu/
- Semi-annual P2 Newsletter – Published twice per year and circulated
to more than 400 assistance providers in the region, the newsletter contains
updates about the regional center and state program highlights. peakstoprairies.org/network/news/newsletters.cfm
- Web Library – The Center collects and catalogs P2 publications created
by regional programs in a searchable database. Can also help programs electronically
publish their creations. peakstoprairies.org/library/virtual.cfm
- Green Parks Program – Facilitate efforts for this regionally chosen
initiative in partnership with each state program including creation of an
operational survey for public land managers, providing assessments of parks
in each state, and creation of a Green Parks Toolkit for park staff and P2
assistance providers.
Planned Projects:
- Green Construction Curricula for Trade Schools
- P2 Pays marketing brochure with regional success stories
- Green Parks Environmental Toolkit for state and local parks
- Continuous improvement of web site, web library, news syndication, and
other resources.
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