The Virginia Environmental Excellence Program was established to encourage superior environmental performance. VEEP drives environmental excellence by encouraging facilities and organizations within the Commonwealth that have strong environmental records to go above and beyond their legal requirements. The program has been in place since 2000 and currently has over 450 members.
There are two types of participation: facility-based and organization-based. The facility-based track (e.g., E2, E3 and E4) promotes the use of environmental management systems (EMS) and pollution prevention and is based on the principles of ISO 14001, the international standard for EMSs, which originated in Europe in the early 1990s. In 2012, DEQ launched the VEEP Sustainability Partners (SP) track to encourage organizations such as local governments, universities and state agencies across Virginia to make environmental sustainability part of their culture through leadership, innovation, and continual improvement.
Newest Members
- Henrico County Landfill and Public Use Area (E2 Renewal)
- Virginia Department of Corrections - Sussex I and II State Prisons (E2 Renewal)
- Virginia Department of Historic Resources (E2 Renewal)
- Randolph-Macon College (E2 Renewal)
- Prince William County Library Services (E2)
- Virginia Dept of Corrections - Deep Meadow Correctional Center (E2 Renewal)
- City of Newport News - Landscape Services (E3 Renewal)
- City of Charlottesville (2013 VEEP Sustainability Partner)
- City of Newport News (2013 VEEP Sustainability Partner)
- City of Roanoke (2013 VEEP Sustainability Partner)
- NASA Langley Research Center (2013 VEEP Sustainability Partner)
- Prince William County (2013 VEEP Sustainability Partner)
Success Stories
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Recent VEEP Recognition Events
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On February 15th, Rick Weeks, DEQ Chief Deputy (second from right), presented Chesterfield County's Fleet Management Division's Jeffrey Jeter (Fleet Manager) and Michele Ervin (EH&S Officer) with their E4 flag and plaque. DEQ's Sharon Baxter (at left) was also present.
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On January 25th, Vision Technology Group of Harrisonburg celebrated its recent E2 acceptance. Pictured are Lacey Derrow (center) and co-owners Bill Tolbert and Hiram Tackett.
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On January 24th, the Henrico County School Board (back row) recognized members of the Construction and Maintenance Division's EMS Committee for their recent E3 acceptance. Mike Murphy, DEQ Piedmont Office Regional Director (second from right in the first row), presented the plaque and flag to Albert Ciarochi III, Director of the Division (with plaque). Next to Mr. Murphy is Dr. Mahesh Kumar, Facilities Engineer for the Division.
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In 2005, the Virginia General Assembly adopted legislation specifically authorizing the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program.
In July 2000, DEQ signed a Memorandum of Agreement with EPA Region III which outlines the agencies' commitment toward regulatory innovation and the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program. The MOA identifies the processes and procedures that will be used to review VEEP applications as well as requests by VEEP E3 and E4 participants for regulatory flexibility.